Hinnant, David J.

David J. Hinnant was born to R. Jennings Hinnant and Joanne Hinnant in Wilson Countyon November 27, 1952. He graduated from Rock Ridge High School in 1972 and continued farming with his father.

On May 22, 1976 he married Vickie Fulghum and they have one son, Clayton David Hinnant who was born in 1980. David farmed with his father and brother under the operation of R J Hinnant & Sons until his father retired. The operation now consists of David and his brother, Ken. They still operate as R J Hinnant & Sons, growing tobacco, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, cotton, and soybeans on 1,800 acres.

Throughout his career, David has been involved with many farm-related organizations and has distinguished himself in agriculture. David received the N.C. Young Farmer of the Year Award in 1985. Phillip Morris named him Tobacco Farmer of the Year in 1982, and Flue Cured Tobacco Farmer Magazine honored him as Tobacco Farmer of the Year in 1998.

He is a past president of the Wilson County Young Farmers and the Southern Agricultural Leadership Group. He has also served on the Board of Directors and is currently Secretary of the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina Agriculture Foundation, and a member of the board of directors of the Tobacco Associates.

Along with nine others from the area David volunteered to give tours of his farm to the public for the farm tours that were the origin of the Tobacco Farm Life Museum. Recently Governor Jim Hunt appointed him to serve on Tobacco Phase I Committee. David is currently serving on the Wilson County Local Advisory Committee for the Neuse River Basin.

David is a member of the Buckhorn United Methodist Church where he has served as Vice President of the Buckhorn United Methodist Trustees and President of the Buckhom United Methodist Men's Group.

David also enjoys hunting and fishing whenever time allows.

David is very dedicated to his family and spends lots of his time with his son, Clay. Clay has chosen to follow his father's footsteps and is now enrolled at N C State University with plans to join his father on the family's farm.

Given to Mr. Hinnant by the Tobacco Farm Life Museum at the Excellence in Agriculture Dinner on November 30, 2000 honoring his outstanding contributions to our agribusiness community.