WASHINGTON (DTN) — Former President Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut grower who became the 39th president, serving from 1977 to 1981, won praise from President Biden, Vice President Harris and agriculture leaders upon his death Sunday at age 100.
Jimmy Carter was the last farmer to occupy the White House from 1977-1980. Beyond his presidency, Carter also was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Farming was always part of Carter’s life story and background. He took over his parents’ 360-acre farm in Plains, Georgia, in the southwest part of the state. The primary crop was peanuts, which became a symbol of Carter’s background as he grew in political prominence. Carter’s farm also grew cotton, corn and other crops, and raised cattle, chickens and hogs. Carter’s farm is now preserved as a national historic park and is managed by the National Park Service. Carter is expected to be buried there next to wis wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in 2023.
Beyond his presidency, Carter was known for his humanitarian work and focus on human rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of work promoting peace and conflict resolution, as well as his role in the Camp David Accords in 1979.
The National Farmers Union remembered Carter as the last farmer to occupy the White House and recipient of NFU’s Meritorious Service Award to Humanity, its highest honor, in 1992. NFU also noted Carter appointed Farmers Union member and organizer Bob Bergland as his secretary of Agriculture.
“President Carter’s agricultural roots prepared him to serve this country with grace and compassion through a difficult time and continue his humanitarian efforts for the remainder of his life,” said NFU President Rob Larew.
President Carter served as secretary of the Plains High School FFA Chapter. He later became the only FFA member to be elected as U.S President. President Carter once described FFA as one of his favorite organizations and said, “It’s been an integral part of my life.”
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