By Tanner Hood

Bright lights illuminate the diamond at Boston’s historic Fenway Park, showcasing gleaming emerald turf carefully manicured by a dedicated grounds team. While most fans know Fenway for the iconic Green Monster in left field, Tuscaloosa County’s Jackson Elsberry takes pride in the lush grass he tends as a member of the curating crew. 

“It was my dream to make it to the Major League,” Elsberry said. “I interned here in college, fell in love with professional baseball and wanted to be back at the highest level.” 

Elsberry’s journey into turfgrass management began when he started mowing yards at 15 while playing baseball at Northridge High School. 

“I would drag my mom along to sit in the car while I took care of a client’s yard because I couldn’t legally drive,” Elsberry said. “I found satisfaction in how a well-manicured lawn can attract attention and had over 50 accounts by the time I finished high school.” 

While a junior at Northridge, Elsberry was introduced to Eric Kleypas, Auburn University’s director of athletic grounds. 

“He told me, as a student, that I could work on the grounds crew at Auburn while studying turfgrass,” Elsberry said. “I knew at that moment Auburn was where I wanted to go.”

Elsberry’s Auburn adventure — complete with a major in crop and soil sciences — was financially supported by the Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation (TCFF) and Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF).

“The Ag Foundation scholarship was mentioned during an adviser’s meeting, so I looked into it and thought it was a fantastic opportunity,” Elsberry said. “I was thankful to receive it for three consecutive years. I did not want to let down the people who gave it to me.” 

Those supporters include TCFF board members, whom Elsberry met through the program. Elsberry said he has a greater respect for farmers thanks to the scholarship.

“I think the ag industry is unique because of how much it affects everyday life,” Elsberry said. “I admire their hard work and dedication to farming.”

AFAF Chairman and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said this scholarship opportunity was created to help young people find their place in agriculture.

“Our goal is to help the next generation of ag professionals find the path that helps them stay in the industry,” Parnell said. “One of the best ways to do that is by providing these scholarships to help further their education and opportunities.”

For Elsberry, that meant graduating from Auburn and working as head groundskeeper at the Montgomery Biscuits. Before long, he was offered the chance of a lifetime — working for the Boston Red Sox. 

“After one season in Montgomery, I learned one of my mentors with the Red Sox was retiring,” Elsberry said. “A couple days later, I received a call asking me to come to Boston. I accepted the coordinator of grounds position in January.”

Now, Elsberry uses his experience to meticulously care for the grass that’s just as much a part of the games as the roar of the crowd and crack of the bat.

 “Taking the knowledge I learned in Auburn and Montgomery to the MLB was something I looked forward to,” Elsberry said. “I am very passionate about what I do, and I hope I can inspire someone to find their field of dreams.”

Scholarship applications open at AlfaFarmers.org/scholarships Nov. 1.