There is a rich history of tobacco production in Columbia County. In the 1950s, there was over 20,000 acres of tobacco grown in the state of Florida. That is reduced to just a handful of growers on a small number of acres today. However, several local growers are optimistic that organic tobacco production will offer an opportunity to use their land, labor, equipment, and skills to continue to produce tobacco profitably on a small scale they are comfortable with.

R&T Dicks farm transplanted their crop recently, and things are off to a good start. We haven’t had any weather challenges this spring planting season, with mild temperatures and widespread rainfall in the county. Here is a quick video of the transplanting crew getting the crop off to a good start.