Hi, I’m Samuel Lucas
I was born and raised in Hahira, Lowndes County, Georgia. I can remember being a young kid going down to the hog pen on my grandparents’ farm in my cowboy boots. It was on the farm where I learned about love, solidarity, integrity, stewardship, and hard work. The farm was not just an area of land used for growing crops and rearing animals. It was a classroom for me. It was my introduction to adulthood.
To be self-sustainable is true freedom. The mastering of our agricultural sciences provides us the opportunity to claim freedom. The art of farming and a passion for dominion has vanished from our communities at an alarming rate. It's my belief there is a direct correlation between the prosperity or failure of our communities and agriculture. It is part of my purpose to usher in a paradigm shift to ensure that true freedom remains a normalcy for generations to come.
I have been active in the agriculture scene my whole life from childhood to college and the present. I am a proud graduate of Fort Valley State University-a university established to push the innovation of agriculture. I also worked in the corporate world with food distribution and food safety. All of these experiences have led me to the establishment of IAS and where I am now.
My Approach
F.A.R.M.
Farming is a way of life. It is a science that applies in both physical and spiritual planes. You are a farmer. Let me explain.
F is for Faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We apply faith to our ambitions, relationships, jobs, education, etc. The same is so when planting crops. With no guaranteed weather pattern or if the seed will germinate in an environment out of our sight and control. We plant seeds hoping for an expected harvest/outcome.
A is for Attitude. Attitude is the currency of faith. Your attitude determines your altitude. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Are you sowing seeds of attentiveness, discipline, confidence, optimism, and respect? Your attitude will express itself during harvest/outcome.
R is for Respect. A good farmer humanely raises his crops and livestock. A good farmer respects his or her environment and neighbors. Ultimately the farmer has respect for self. Treat people how you want to be treated. Love thy neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). We can’t maintain relationships without genuine respect.
M is for Management. Storms come. Droughts are becoming the norm. One’s faith breaks down, attitudes fluster, and respect sometimes goes out the window. A good farmer responds rather than reacts. We are proactive. Out of the heart flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).
We are all FARMERS!
Dream it
There isn’t a country, nation, state, city, neighborhood, or household on planet earth that is sustainable without access to a viable food system. Our dream at IAS is to continue to ignite interest in agriculture and food production and provide communities with the best options of healthy, nutritious food.
Build it
We are building a food supply chain that will stimulate both rural and urban communities. We will stimulate economies and decrease health disparities through education and production.