The enterprising young man kept investing back in the business. Acreage quickly rose to 25, then 40, then 60. He added more each year until today he raises 450 acres of flue-cured leaf. And tobacco is only one crop in what has become a widely diversified operation. Cotton has had a turn in the rotation.
Poultry is under consideration.
It was something to really think about. I had zero debt load back then and very little to lose. But I think I've been able to keep the debt in line while expanding, and I've been able to keep my labor force intact. Although only 41, Lewis is thinking about slowing down a little. I won't say that we won't have more next year than we have this year, but in the 10-year picture I'd like to get to the point that we weren't working quite so hard.