Clayton Brauman

The quote “Your roots determine your routes” is applicable to Clayton Brauman.

A senior at QI Roberts Junior-Senior High School, part of the Putnam County School District offering Cambridge Advanced Studies, Clayton Brauman is involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA). Students take advanced placement coursework and exams. Through the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program, Clayton earns college credits to transfer upon enrollment at Oklahoma State University in the Fall of 2021. At the end of this school year, Clayton will qualify for several specific certificates, such as the Agriculture Associate Certification, Agriculture Systems Associate, and Animal Science Specialist.

Clayton’s career pathway is clear. He will earn his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Business, studying different aspects of ag production and specializing in cow and calf operations. Once he completes college, Clayton intends to return to work his family farm and have a job in animal nutrition. After a recent sale of feeder calves, his family owns a cow operation involving six hundred head of commercial female cattle. The Brauman’s also own a feed store in Palatka–County Feed and General Store. This retail operation hosts a quarterly farm swap showcasing local producer of canned goods, pre-started plants, goats-milk soap, or baby chicks. Clayton is involved in the execution and promotion of these events.

Clayton’s experience in ag is specialized, but he sees the importance of diversification of products and services that farmers offer their communities. He and his sister own 25 head of registered Charolais, a creamy white breed which are known for their good growth rate, producing big calves, and significant average daily gain. They intend to produce bulls and breed them for local and statewide sales.

Clayton’s interest in agriculture began early due to his family’s farm and retail store. However, he quickly developed a skill set that allowed him to travel across the United States, cementing an appreciation for farming in Northeast Florida. Clayton was part of the state champion 4-H Livestock Judging Team from Putnam County. The team judged livestock in state and national contests. From sixth through eleventh grades, Clayton began traveling to competitions, also exposing him to farms and ranches across the country. He learned to spell every breed and formulate speeches to justify his judgements based on specific criteria. He learned the discipline required to complete classroom assignments on the road in a timely manner. No doubt this experience will propel him forward in his career pathway.

As a result of his travels, Clayton has concluded “Florida is unique in that many local producers will help each other out. People aren’t afraid to call their neighbors.” Clayton cited a recent example where local ranchers needed a shipping facility to sort and load their calves. Clayton’s family offered their pens to sort and load the calves onto semi-trailers. Not only did they provide the facilities, but they helped with the process of loading.

Clayton also wisely observes agribusiness trends. He mentioned more farmers sell their USDA approved meats directly to the consumer rather than selling their cattle to companies that process the animal and sell to the consumer. This relationship helps the producer recuperate costs while keeping costs affordable to the consumer. Selling directly to the customer also creates the awareness of showing people the source of their food, thereby linking the community closer to the land and its products. Sometimes, aspects of the economy beyond a farmer’s control can be impactful. For example, COVID-19 shut down schools that generally purchase milk cartons for school lunches. Farmers were impacted due to temporarily losing this consumer base. This is another reason why Clayton sees the need for producers to have multiple products and income streams. Farms that offer corn mazes, cafes, retail operations, and hayrides can best connect with their communities and increase resilience.

For those who are considering an agribusiness career pathway, Clayton believes a hands-on aspect of farming is critical to generate interest. Conservation and water treatment are important aspects of the industry, as is crop and animal production. Clayton encourages students in Putnam County to get involved in CTE classes, where they can participate in the Land Lab which features cattle, goats, and chickens. Membership in the FFA Chapter in Putnam County allows access to a local community garden that raises organic crops.

Overall, Clayton is approaching his career pathway by incorporating academic work, extra-curricular involvement, and hard work on his family’s farm. Clayton’s roots provide a clear agriculture pathway with a forward-looking route in Putnam County.