Ronnie Burleson

     Producer

     Richfield, North Carolina

When people think of cotton, they don’t immediately think of Stanly County in west central North Carolina. The gently rolling hills look as though they could be growing grapes as well as anything.  That perception is changing thanks to a small group of farmers with the foresight and willingness to try something new.  

Ronnie Burleson grew up around Richfield, North Carolina working with his father on their farm. In the early years, their farm as well as most in the area produced grain and cattle. Prices in the area always seemed depressed, but the farmers survived. In 1991, after a series of very dry years, Ronnie’s father sought after a more drought tolerant crop deciding on cotton. In the first couple of years, Ronnie had to haul his cotton 90 miles to the nearest gin. In 1996 several members of his family formed a gin, with Ronnie’s nephew, Wes Morgan, as Gin Manager. The gin quickly became a family affair with Ronnie’s brother, sister, nephew, cousin and spouses all playing a part in the operation.   

Ronnie quickly realized that he was doing well growing cotton, but he soon realized that marketing his cotton was of vital importance, and farming left little time for that.  Needing an outlet to sell his cotton, Rolling Hills Gin was referred by other business contacts to Weil Brothers-Cotton, Inc. Practically all of the cotton from Rolling Hills Gin was marketed by Weil Brothers-Cotton, Inc. in a traditional way until 1999. It was at this time that Ronnie and many other gin customers joined Beltwide Cotton Coop. Now virtually all of Rolling Hills Gin is marketed through Beltwide Cotton Coop.  

In true pioneering spirit, Ronnie and his father were willing to put things on the line and take a chance. Ronnie’s father was progressive and always on the leading edge – that same attitude continues today.  

Ronnie graduated from North Carolina State University with a BS in Agronomy. He is married to Terry, a school teacher, and they have two children, Ashley and Andrew. He enjoys golf, riding his 4 wheeler, traveling and playing with his grandbaby, Georgia.  

Along with serving on the Board of Beltwide Cotton Coop since 1999, he is active with the North Carolina Farm Bureau Board, North Carolina Cotton Producers Board, North Carolina Corn Producers Board, and North Carolina Soybean Producers Association. He is a current delegate to the National Corn Growers Association, and a current delegate to the National Cotton Council.  

Ronnie and his family attend the New Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church where Ronnie is currently Chairman of the Administrative Board, a Sunday School Teacher, Choir member and Secretary - Treasurer. He has been a member of the Civitan Club for 30 years and is a past Vice President.