Luke Jenkins

John Wooden, the “ Wizard of Westwood,” the greatest coach that college basketball has known, was credited with many famous and inspiring quotes, including, “It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.”

If you are familiar with Luke Jenkins of 44 Farms, you’ll know that he is “The Doctor of Agronomy.” Luke has earned accolades for his ability to bring life and performance to athletic playing fields, corn fields, hay pastures…
Right from his beginnings on a farm in rural southern Louisiana, the path of Luke’s life alighted on touchstone after touchstone of Americana. He was a gifted athlete. He put his great communication skills to work as he persuaded his sweetheart, Becky, to be his wife. He took his university education right back where it belonged, his beloved LSU. The Doctor of Agronomy was entrusted with all of the athletic playing fields at LSU, including that stretch of hallowed landscape known as Death Valley.

From LSU, he became the steward of the turf that carries the load for the multi-million dollar NFL players of the New Orleans Saints. If the turf isn’t perfect, “NFL” can mean “Not For Long” for players. Accountable to famous coaches like Jim Mora and Mike Ditka, he quickly developed a reputation for athletic turf innovation and management.

As the Houston Astros opened their new downtown ballpark in 2000, Luke took his magic to the Big Leagues. Major League Baseball was new to Luke, but true to Coach Wooden’s instruction, Luke designed, developed and installed the first turf grass in a retractable roof ballpark. If that sounds easy, just try growing turf grass in the shade. Luke did it when many said it couldn’t be done. Applying another Wooden truth, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts,” Luke made the playing surface at Houston’s ballpark the finest in the Major Leagues.

Returning to his agricultural roots, Luke joined 44 Farms in 2007. Luke’s many talents include a keen ability to teach. One could say that Luke sees the classroom and agricultural production as serving the same purpose: explanation, demonstration, correction and repetition. He has a knack for knowing when and what to change, and when to leave things be.

Luke is making a tremendous difference in the quality of the nutrition that the Angus cattle of 44 Farms receive. The cattle continue to be more efficient and their performance is at the top of the class. Thank you Luke!