The Jerry Dean Nichols family will be honored as the Farm Family of the Year at the Ninth Annual Nacogdoches County Agriculture Appreciation and Awareness Banquet on Monday, March 29, at Banita Creek Hall. Tipton Ford sponsors the farm family award.                                                        

Jerry’s agriculture history began in San Augustine County on parents Reece and Evie Nichols farm with his four older brothers and younger sister. The family raised cotton when cotton was king, and then the Nichols’ farming focus changed to poultry in 1955.

Jerry attended Texas A&M University on a football scholarship and graduated from the university in 1965. He served as captain of the Texas A&M football team the first year Gene Stallings coached. While at Texas A&M he met his future wife, Linda Cargill.

Linda’s parents Bud and Betsy Cargill were dairy farmers, and she and her younger sister and brother grew up on the farm east of Bryan. Linda showed poultry in 4-H. She and Jerry married in 1966.

When asked what brought the Nichols back to Nacogdoches County, Jerry said “a job. ”

He taught agriculture and coached at Nacogdoches High School. Later Nichols worked in outside sales for the Purina Mills Company.

He then went to work in lending as vice president at Commercial National Bank. In 1980, Jerry ventured with other local businessmen and opened Security National bank. He was president of Security National until 1987. 

“Meanwhile, throughout his professional careers, Jerry and Linda have had a poultry and cattle operation in the county,” Cooperative Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent Crispin Skinner said. “Also working in the day-to-day operations of the family farm, Jerry and Linda have their four sons Matt, Reece, Tim and Gregg. With all helping, the farm is thriving and will continue with the grandchildren that pitch in. ”

The Nichols began poultry farming with three chicken houses that held 20,000 birds each. Now the family runs four farms, 18 chicken houses, with Tyson. The figures show production on these farms yield at least 1 million pounds of chicken per year.

The beef cattle operation has grown to 200 head of cows.

“In the summer, the 12 grandchildren gather, two at a time, for their own cowboy camp and through the fun, gradually learn some of the skills of farming and ranching,” Linda said. “They love driving the tractors, helping haul hay and riding the trails on the four wheelers. ”

“The Nichols have been land stewards for many years for the state of Texas and Nacogdoches County,” Skinner said. “One thing is certain, whatever the future may bring for Nichols family, they will continue to be involved with agriculture. ” 

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About the Jerry Dean Nichols family

Jerry and Linda Nichols community involvement - Jerry has been a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board in Nacogdoches for more than 30 years. He has been past president and member of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation board for the past eight years.

Linda currently is regent for the Nacogdoches Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

They are active members of Fredonia Hill Baptist Church. Jerry and Linda have four sons, all graduates of Texas A&M University, and 12 grandchildren. The sons’ families including children’s ages are:

         Matt is married to Dayna (Goodroe). They have four children, Mattison 16, Miranda  14, Mallory 12 and Will 9. They make their home in Bryan where he is in commercial roofing. Matt has a herd of cattle and his daughters are members of 4-H. Mallory received Grand Champion Broiler awards.

         Reece is married to Jill (McClure). They have four children, Rebecca 13, Allison 11, Claire 9 and Grace 9. They make their home in Kilgore where he is with Edward Jones Investments. Reece also has a herd of cattle.

         Tim has been in Mt. Pleasant in investments, but is now living in McKinney working as an investment representative with J. Morgan Chase. He has two children, Jillian 7 and Jack 5.

         Gregg is married to Angie (Mitcham). They have two children, Joshua 7 and Jacob 5. They make their home here in Nacogdoches where he is with Edward Jones Investments.