Hastings-Based Tater Farms Leaders Elected to State Agriculture Board

Two leaders from Tater Farms, a multigenerational family farm in Hastings, have been recognized for their roles in advancing Florida's agriculture industry at the state level. Carleton Johns, vice president of the farm, was elected to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's Board of Directors, while Gage Hjort, the farm's turf operations manager, graduated from the association's leadership development program.

The recognitions came during the FFVA's 82nd annual convention in Naples, Florida, announced by St. Johns County on September 28. The appointments position the Hastings-based operation—which has grown from a potato-and-cabbage farm into one of the region's largest turf producers—as a voice in statewide agricultural policy and industry strategy.

Leadership positions and program details

Carleton Johns was elected to serve as an at-large director on the FFVA Board of Directors. FFVA members approved Johns' nomination during the association's annual board and membership meetings at the convention. Johns already serves on the St. Johns County Agriculture Advisory Committee, which provides a connection between county government and the local agricultural community. The advisory committee helps identify opportunities to support and strengthen agriculture in St. Johns County.

Gage Hjort was recognized as a graduate of the FFVA's Emerging Leaders Development Program, Class 15. The program provides participants with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of Florida's specialty crop industry, according to the county announcement.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is a statewide trade organization representing growers, shippers, and allied businesses in Florida's specialty crop sector. The association advocates for the industry at the state and federal levels, provides member services, and runs professional development initiatives including the leadership program Hjort completed.

What this means for St. Johns County's agricultural footprint

The appointments give St. Johns County direct representation in an organization that shapes policy affecting one of the state's signature industries. Florida's specialty crop sector—encompassing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants—is a multibillion-dollar contributor to the state economy, and the FFVA board helps set priorities for research, labor policy, environmental regulation, and market development.

For St. Johns County, agriculture remains an economic pillar despite rapid residential growth. The Hastings area, located in the western portion of the county, is the historic heart of the county's farm economy, known for its potato production dating back more than a century. As suburban development pushes westward from the coast and master-planned communities like Nocatee and SilverLeaf expand, maintaining a viable agricultural sector requires both market diversification and advocacy—exactly the expertise Johns and Hjort bring from Tater Farms' own evolution.

Prissy Fletcher, agricultural liaison for St. Johns County, said in a statement that the FFVA recognition highlights Tater Farms' contributions to the agricultural industry "from the perspective of diversification and experimentation. " She praised the farm's ability to "evolve with the times, all while creating a supportive work environment for their employees," adding, "I am honored that we have St. Johns County representation on their board, along with graduates from their leadership academy. "

The county maintains an Agriculture Advisory Committee to preserve and support farming as growth pressures intensify. Johns' dual role—serving on both the county committee and the state board—creates a direct channel for local concerns to reach statewide industry discussions and for state-level trends to inform county policy.

Tater Farms: from potatoes to turf and citrus

Tater Farms is a family-owned operation with deep roots in Hastings. Founded in 1975 by Frank and Polly Johns, the farm began by growing staple crops such as potatoes and cabbage, the traditional commodities that made the Hastings area synonymous with Florida agriculture.

In 2005, Tater Farms planted its first turfgrass crop, marking a significant shift in the farm's operations. What began as a single field has grown into more than 4,000 acres of improved turfgrass varieties, with sod now at the core of the operation, according to the county. The farm has also expanded into citrus production, including groves of Noble Juicy Crunch™ Tangerines.

Today, Tater Farms continues its agricultural operations in St. Johns County under the leadership of Eric Hjort, president, and Carleton Johns, vice president and the son of founders Frank and Polly Johns.

The farm's trajectory mirrors a broader trend in Northeast Florida agriculture: adapting to market shifts and rising land values by pivoting to higher-value crops. Turf production serves the region's booming residential and commercial construction market, while specialty citrus varieties tap premium consumer demand. Both strategies allow farms to generate more revenue per acre than traditional row crops, a critical calculus as development pressures drive up land prices and property taxes.

Why agricultural leadership matters in a growth corridor

St. Johns County is one of Florida's fastest-growing counties, driven by highly rated schools, coastal access, and an influx of residents from higher-cost metros. The county's population growth creates both opportunity and tension for the agricultural sector: more local customers for farm products and landscaping materials, but also more neighbors, more traffic on farm roads, and political pressure to rezone agricultural land for housing.

Farms operating at the suburban edge face operational challenges that include complaints about dust, equipment noise, and pesticide drift from new residential neighbors unfamiliar with agricultural rhythms. They also navigate complex permitting for irrigation infrastructure, stormwater management on large acreages, and environmental reviews when projects affect wetlands or tributaries of the St. Johns River system.

Having a local farmer in a state-level industry leadership role can help ensure that policies affecting water rights, labor availability, environmental compliance costs, and right-to-farm protections reflect the realities of working farms in growth corridors. Johns' position on the FFVA board also positions St. Johns County agriculture to benefit from industry research initiatives, grant opportunities, and market-development programs managed or influenced by the association.

The leadership development program Hjort completed is designed to prepare the next generation of farm managers and owners to engage with regulators, legislators, and the public—skills increasingly vital as urban and rural land uses collide. Graduates of such programs often go on to serve on commodity boards, water management district advisory panels, and local planning bodies.

What happens next

Johns will serve his term as an at-large director on the FFVA Board of Directors; terms and meeting schedules are set by the association's bylaws. As a board member, he will participate in decisions on association priorities, legislative strategy, and member services.

Both Johns and Hjort will continue their roles at Tater Farms and their involvement in county agricultural initiatives. Johns remains a member of the St. Johns County Agriculture Advisory Committee, which meets periodically to advise county officials on policies affecting local farms.

St. Johns County encourages residents interested in agricultural issues to sign up for the quarterly St. Johns County Agriculture Newsletter, which covers agricultural news, programs, events, and resources available throughout the community. The newsletter and committee meetings are the primary channels through which the public can track local farm policy and engage with the agricultural community.

The recognition of Tater Farms' leaders at the state convention underscores the evolving identity of Northeast Florida agriculture: no longer confined to traditional row crops, the sector is diversifying into turf, specialty citrus, and niche products that serve both regional and statewide markets. As residential growth continues to reshape the landscape, farms that adapt—and leaders who can advocate effectively at the county and state levels—will determine whether agriculture remains a viable part of the regional economy or becomes a relic of the pre-boom era.