Gilmer Dairy F
or over 100 years, the Gilmer family of Lamar County, Alabama, has been a part of the agriculture industry. With its start as a cash crop and livestock operation, Gray Gilmer decided to make dairy the main focus during the 1950s dairy boom. Gray excelled at it and was able to expand the herd over 60 years and three generations. Will Gilmer, now co-owner of Gilmer Dairy, LLC with his father, David Gilmer, is a third-generation dairy farmer and the sixth generation of his family to farm in their community. After Will left the family farm for college with the intention of becoming a computer engineer, it did not take long before he knew where he belonged. “It only took six weeks of being off the farm to realize that I wanted a career in agriculture,” Will said. “By my senior year, the opportunity to live on the farm and work daily with my father easily won out over other career possibilities.” Will never felt the pressure to continue the dairy. “Obligation to continue the family legacy had nothing to do with the decision,” Will added. “Now, that legacy is not lost on me and it is something I’m proud of, but neither brought me back nor prevents me from making 34
Cooperative Farming News
BY JESSIE SHOOK
necessary changes to keep our farm economically viable.” Just like the passing down of Gilmer Dairy from one generation to the next, the need for food to survive and thrive will always secure the need for farmers and farmland in generations to come. “As long as our farmland can be best utilized for some kind of food production
(L to R) Will Gilmer with his son, Linton Gilmer, daughter Jillian Gilmer and wife Joni Gilmer. As a third-generation dairy farmer, Will embraces the importance of being a steward of the land for future generations.
