Insider’s Look: Meet our Director, Jason Maxwell
Q: What’s your background/ affiliation with Morgan County? Did you grow up here? Are you a transplant and if so, what brought you to Morgan County?
A: Jason was born in Bloomington and has lived in Martinsville his entire life.
Q: What do you love most about Morgan County?
A: Jason most loves people’s warmth and feels that our neighbors give a small-town feel. He loves how much people care about and for each other.
Q: Is this where you thought you would end up?
A: Jason always thought he would stay here in Morgan County. He had glimpses into other opportunities like a military career or traveling elsewhere in search of a career opportunity. After doing his own research, and knowing he always wanted to farm, he decided to stay locally. His dad’s advice was to find something else to do on the side to start out, which became owning a heating and cooling business for 13 years. His uncle offered him a full-time farming opportunity at the age of 34 and he has farmed corn and soybeans since. He farms with his father, Kelly and his cousin, Kim. His third son, Bryce, aged 16, will soon join the family farm.
Q: What professional/ philanthropic organizations are you associated with and in what ways?
A: In addition to serving on CFMC’s board of directors since 2021, he also serves on the Morgan County Farm Bureau Board and in 2022, became Vice President. The Farm Bureau Board focuses on rural and farm philanthropic efforts. By providing ag education in our local schools, and monetarily helping local 4-H and FFA groups. The board is currently working on an action plan to help farms and rural communities when disasters happen, which would include delivering pre made meals.
Q: How do you spend most of your time?
A: Jason is a busy man. He commits most of his time to farm work, County Council, Board of Zoning & Appeals, Morgan County Planning Commission, Morgan County Farm Bureau, and Morgan County Fair Board. In his free time, he spends time with his family and helps his children with their 4-H animals. He especially loves movies and TV.
Q: Why is philanthropy important to you?
A: Jason says, “If someone goes through life and they don’t help others what kind of life do they really live? If you don’t help others, it’s not much of a life to live.”
Q: What motivates you to serve on CFMC’s board?
A: CFMC reaches so many different people and initiatives on multiple levels, and he loves being a part of the leadership team that stewards donors’ dollars for the betterment of our county. CFMC is so unique to the landscape of nonprofits, and we are not pigeon-holed into just one focus area.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: Jason is most proud of his family. He’s been married for over 25 years, and is so proud of his four sons, ages 23,20,16,8.
Q: What would you tell community members Today about getting involved in their community?
A: Do it. If you want to accomplish something in life, get involved and find where you make a difference. At some point, you may be surprised that the community may help you back, too.
Q: What’s the best advice you have received that you would pass along?
A: There’s no such thing as a free lunch. For example, someone gives you a free lunch. At some point, someone grew the food, and cooked it. What did you do to receive it? Did you do a favor? There is a cost to anything, anywhere. Jason finds that his drive and self-motivation keeps him encouraged that whatever he gives, it’s received in return.
