On March 12, 2012, Jason Brown walked away from a $37.5 million NFL contract with the St. Louis Rams. People thought he made the wrong choice but Jason believed helping others was more important than football.

At just 29 years old, Brown had no farming experience but used his savings from the NFL to buy a 1,000-acre farm. It sits in the town of Louisburg in Franklin County, North Carolina.

Jason Brown wearing number 60 with the St. Louis Rams. (Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty)

Brown taught himself how to farm by watching YouTube videos. He worked the land by hand every day and learned the basics of growing, planting, and harvesting, according to a 2014 interview with CBS's On the Road with Steve Hartman.

In May 2005, Brown married his wife Tay, and they now have eight children. When he first told Tay Brown that he was leaving the NFL, she struggled with the decision and said she "had to fall back on her faith," according to an interview on the Tamron Hall Show.

(Photo: Courtesy of Jason Brown / First Fruit Farm)

They had a 12,000 square foot mansion in St. Louis, Missouri and were very comfortable. Brown said he wanted to be a blessing to other people.

In 2012, Brown founded First Fruits Farm. The nonprofit grows food not to sell it but to give away. And as of December 2025, they have donated over 1.5 million pounds of fresh food to families in need, according to the foundation. The farm primarily grows sweet potatoes and has many volunteers who help in the area.

Jason Brown with his wife Tay Brown. (Photo: Courtesy of Jason Brown / Jamie Thayer Jones)
Jason Brown at First Fruits Farm in Louisburg, North Carolina. (Photo: Courtesy of Jason Brown / First Fruit Farm)

First Fruits Farm partners with the Society of St Andrew, NC State University, NC A&T and other organizations. The nonprofit also helps to provide opportunities for research, education, and community engagement.

Brown said that his faith in God was a major reason he decided to help his community. He has referenced the Bible verse Proverbs 3:9 as the foundation of his nonprofit's name: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." This was inspiration for his nonprofit's name.

Brown regularly shares updates about First Fruits Farm on his Instagram page. Brown's story shows all of us that true greatness is not measured by fame or money. It's found in how you give to others.