Roots Run Deep- Gerald Wilson
In southeastern North Carolina, traditional agriculture shapes the landscape. Having grandparents and parents who farmed, Gerald has many memories working with them. “I grew up in an era when most all youth worked in tobacco in the summer, and schools were either delayed for harvest to finish or if you had a note from your parents that you were working in tobacco, you had an excused absence,” Gerald recalled.
In 2013, Gerald and his wife, Sarah, decided to take a leap of faith and start a pecan orchard on a small farm they purchased. While it has been full of learning experiences, Gerald says it’s been very rewarding.
Growing up in a farming family, Gerald Wilson understands the hard work, time, and dedication it takes to grow a crop. His farming roots give him a unique perspective on his life and as the Chief Lending Officer of Corporate Lending & Capital Markets at AgCarolina Farm Credit.
“Working at AgCarolina has given me a unique perspective, from the production end, marketing side, and financial side of agriculture. It gives me pride and satisfaction to help individuals and now large Ag companies.” States Gerald. “I have the opportunity to serve salt of the earth type of people –farmers and agribusiness.”
One of his members at AgCarolina once shared a story that he applies to his pecan orchard, Gerald recites “My father would plant an acre of cucumbers for me, my brother, and sister to pick before we helped my grandfather in tobacco. Another farmer approached my dad one day and told him there was a much more efficient way to raise and harvest cucumbers. My dad responded, you are probably right, but I’m not really trying to raise cucumbers, I’m trying to raise children.”
Gerald reflects on this comment often and understands that his pecan orchard is more than about growing and harvesting pecans, but it’s an opportunity to instill in his children the work ethic and strong character that was given to him by his farming parents and grandparents.
As the seasons change, the memories fill his mind and take him back to the days of riding to the tobacco market with his grandfather, riding to mountains to pick up a load of Christmas trees with his father, and the countless lessons learned in the fields. These memories are a constant reminder of his connection to agriculture and deeply rooted passion for serving the agricultural community.
The roots planted by the generations before him are what gave Gerald the foundation he needed when branching out on his new adventure of planting a pecan orchard.
If he’s not at work or working amongst the pecan trees, you can find Gerald with his , family. Watching his son and daughter play sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time at church .