John “Bubba” Sink J&A Farms | 100 Bushel Club Inductee, 2024

For Newport farmer John “Bubba” Sink, farming has always been more than a job. It's a calling rooted in family history and a deep connection to the land where he grew up. Bubba’s grandfather farmed the family ground after returning home from World War II, and Bubba spent his childhood surrounded by the rhythms of farm life.

Bubba began building his own operation in the early 2000s, starting with just 28 acres on his family’s farm. Over time, that small start grew into J&A Farms Partnership, an operation he runs with his wife that now includes roughly 4,300 acres of crops and a herd of cattle. Like many farmers, Bubba’s days start early and rarely go exactly as planned. Each morning begins with mapping out the work ahead with his crew, and the rest of the day is spent adjusting to whatever the farm demands.

The 2024 season turned out to be a favorable one for J&A Farms. Ideal planting conditions, timely rainfall, and a smooth harvest created the kind of season farmers hope for but rarely get from start to finish. Those conditions helped Bubba reach the milestone of producing over 100 bushels of soybeans per acre and joining the Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Contest's 100 Bushel Club.

That achievement carried deeper meaning because of the circumstances surrounding the season. In the spring of 2024, Bubba was diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosis pushed him to pursue goals he had always talked about but had never fully chased, including participating in Grow for the Green.

Today, Bubba celebrates being cancer free and continues doing what he has always loved. For him, the 100 Bushel Club is not just about yield. It represents perseverance, the support of family, and the satisfaction of reaching a goal that once felt just out of reach. And like most farmers, Bubba is already looking ahead to the next season, ready to keep learning and improving the crops he grows on the land that he holds close.