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READER<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
Davis<br />
EDWARDS<br />
Why did you decide to make Rankin County<br />
your home?<br />
Rankin County is full of some of the nicest and<br />
most genuine people you will ever meet. Most<br />
of my friends and family live in or around<br />
Rankin County, and I have strong ties with the<br />
local community. I cannot think of a better<br />
place to call home.<br />
How long have you lived in Rankin County?<br />
My whole life, and I have loved every minute<br />
of it. In 1916, when my great-grandfather<br />
was three years old, he traveled, along with his<br />
siblings and parents, from Tennessee by train<br />
to the community of Fannin, and there our<br />
family has remained for generations.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
My wife and I make up the fifth generation<br />
of our family that have raised animals on our<br />
family farm in Rankin County. We currently<br />
don’t live on the farm but are there daily<br />
tending to the animals and doing farm work.<br />
My parents and grandparents do live on the<br />
farm, and we all work together to keep things<br />
running smoothly. Cool Creek Farm is<br />
definitely a group effort, and we each play a<br />
special part in its operations. I am blessed<br />
and very thankful to be able to do something<br />
I enjoy so much with my family.<br />
What is your favorite memory of living in<br />
Rankin County?<br />
Bringing my Highland cattle to the CelticFest<br />
on the Rez. I’ve brought them for several years,<br />
but it’s so fun to see the community come out<br />
and support such a fun event. My family and<br />
friends help me, and it is always a fun time.<br />
Where are your three favorite places to eat<br />
in Rankin County?<br />
The Pelahatchie Bay is definitely one of my<br />
favorites. My family has been eating there my<br />
whole life. I remember being a little boy and<br />
going several days a week with my greatgrandfather<br />
to eat and drink coffee. Another<br />
place I enjoy is Sunset Grill on Highway 43<br />
before you go across the Rez. Their food is<br />
wonderful, and my uncle is one of the chefs<br />
there. It is a newer restaurant, so if you have<br />
not been, I highly recommend it. Osaka is also<br />
one of my favorite places. I think they have the<br />
best hibachi, and the volcano roll is fantastic!<br />
What are some fun things to do in Rankin<br />
County on the weekends?<br />
If you have kids and enjoy the outdoors, you<br />
can take the family to Winners Circle Park or<br />
the Flowood Nature Park to get some fresh air.<br />
McClain’s Resort is also a fun place where you<br />
can eat good food and see some cool animals.<br />
If you want something more competitive, try<br />
Black Axes or Fannin Lanes.<br />
Tell us about your occupation.<br />
I work at the Mississippi Department of<br />
Agriculture & Commerce as the outreach<br />
coordinator for the produce safety division.<br />
I work with growers of fruits and vegetables<br />
that are considered high risk because they are<br />
normally eaten raw, and there is no-kill step to<br />
reduce the risk of microorganisms that cause<br />
foodborne illnesses. I also work with MSU<br />
Extension to conduct trainings with growers<br />
so they can safely produce healthy and safe,<br />
local food for people in Mississippi.<br />
Tell us about Cool Creek Farm.<br />
Cool Creek is a family farm with the primary<br />
focus of raising heritage breeds of livestock.<br />
We raise Scottish Highland cattle, the oldest<br />
registered breed in the world, Hereford cattle,<br />
Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, which are a<br />
critically endangered breed, Kiko goats, and a<br />
variety of poultry. We sell eggs and beef locally<br />
and plan to sell pasture-raised pork and goat<br />
meat next year as well. We also produce<br />
breeding stock for people who are interested<br />
in the breeds we raise.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
To go to Scotland and visit with Highland<br />
cattle breeders. I would love to go to Balmoral<br />
Castle and see Queen Elizabeth II’s Highland<br />
cattle. I would also love to go to Africa on a<br />
safari and see animals in the wild. I would also<br />
love to go to New York for the Macy’s<br />
Thanksgiving Day Parade!<br />
Who is someone you admire and why?<br />
I admire my dad because he instilled in me a<br />
love for animals and the farm. He is the MVP<br />
on the farm, and I definitely would not be<br />
able to do anything without his wisdom and<br />
guidance. He also taught me by example how<br />
to treat people with love and respect, whether<br />
they deserve it or not.<br />
What is your favorite childhood memory?<br />
When I was very young, my dad, great-grandfather,<br />
and I were in the pasture taking care of<br />
the cows. It’s a simple memory but it’s one that<br />
makes me smile, and it inspires me to keep<br />
working hard because I want my kids to know<br />
the peace and joy that comes from growing up<br />
on a family farm.<br />
If you could give us one encouraging quote,<br />
what would it be?<br />
“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will<br />
in the end contribute the most to real wealth,<br />
good morals, & happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson<br />
Hometown RANKIN • 15
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