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“I have
never been happier, more exhilarated,
at peace, rested, inspired and aware
of the grandeur of the universe and
the greatness of God than when I find
myself in a natural setting not much
changed from the way He made it.”
From An Outdoor Journal by Jimmy Carter
Growing Up In Archery
(1928 – 1941)
From the time he was four until he was
eighteen, young Jimmy Carter grew up
in a rural setting in the community
of Archery, approximately 2 miles west
of Plains.  As
the son of an innovative farmer, he
worked alongside his gather and their
sharecroppers growing peanuts, cotton,
sugar cane, corn and other row crops.
The Great Depression changed the rural
economy and the New Deal initiated programs
to combat the economic downturn. Many
of those programs were meant to help
farmers in conserving their precious
topsoil, controlling wildfires, and
making their land more productive. Many
farmers abandoned marginal cropland
and planted pine trees or allowed them
to naturally seed to reforest exhausted
land. These conservation measures taught
the young farm boy early on that the
land will take care of the people if
they take care of it. Besides the government’s
New Deal programs, the influence of
the church in teaching the doctrine
of stewardship, taking care of God’s
gifts, was also a part of Jimmy Carter’s
early upbringing. The church, family,
and organizations such as the Future
Farmers of America helped shape his
leadership skills.
Although the President-to-be was a budding
young farmer, his heart was in the woods.
“Growing up as a farm boy, I wanted
either a fishing pole or a gun in my
hand whenever possible.” His activities
included raccoon hunting with black
friends (young Cater was valuable because
of his tree climbing abilities), and
all-night excursions along a creed to
snare eels on “set hooks”,
which the boys would cook and eat right
away. As a person who always worked
to improve himself, Carter strove to
perfect his bait-casting and shooting
skills when he got new and prized equipment.
Not all of his fishing was in the Plains
area. One of his most memorable trips
was a long excursion to the Satilla
River in southeast Georgia where; he
caught many fish, brought home a pet
alligator named Mickey Mouse, and above
all, strengthened the bond between himself
and his father in the beauty of wild
country.
Living In Plains
(1935–1970)
After graduation from the Naval Academy
and duties in various Naval assignments,
Jimmy Carter returned to Plains to take
over the family business.  The
example of his father, who died in 1953,
helped him realize what could be accomplished
in a small community. But during the
time of his education and military career,
agriculture had changed. As Carter was
growing up, there were no tractors on
the family farm. Now they were essential.
He also discovered that the timber growing
on the abandoned fields produced substantially
more revenue for the farm than anyone
had imagined. With new farming methods
came increased productivity. Many new
laws and programs helped protect land
and water. With the coming of the Soil
Bank Program, farmers converted more
acres of marginal cropland to timber
production.
Carter continued to pursue his love
for outdoor sports while also introducing
his young family to the natural world.
With three young sons, he assumed his
father’s role as teacher, volunteering
to become a scoutmaster. As a citizen
active in community affairs he worked
to organize regional planning efforts
along with community improvement projects.
Public Service
(1970-1981)
During Jimmy Carter’s years as
State Senator, Governor of Georgia,
and President, he worked to strengthen
environmental laws and often took difficult
positions on issues affecting the environment.
His most significant achievements are:
AS GOVERNOR
- Establishment of the Georgia
Heritage Land Trust to purchase
and preserve unique lands.
- Creation of wildlife enhancement
programs such as the reintroduction
of wild turkeys.
- Suspension of the construction
of a large dam on the Flint River
south of Atlanta.
- Founding the Georgia Conservancy
to promote environmental awareness
among the public and industry.
AS PRESIDENT
- Passage of the Alaskan Lands
Bill which protected more than 150
million acres of wild lands and
scenic rivers
- “Super Fund” legislation
that provided monies and direction
to clean up toxic waste dumps.
- Establishment of a national energy
policy.
- Legislation to strictly control
strip mining.
Recreation time for a governor or president
is a rare commodity. Cater spent most
of his leisure time outdoors during
those years. As governor, Carter took
the time to learn to fly-fish for mountain
trout. Fly-fishing has become one of
his most cherished pastimes. While president,
he spent getaway time at Camp David
fly-fishing for trout on the compound.
Occasionally, he and Mrs. Carter would
secretly escape the press entourage
by taking a short helicopter trip to
Spruce Creek in Pennsylvania to catch
trout. Another, more celebrated trip
was a presidential family vacation in
1978 when the Carters visited Yellowstone
National Park and rafted down the Snake
River. President Carter chose the natural
beauty of Camp David as the most appropriate
setting to bring Egypt and Israel together
to negotiate the now famous peace treaty.
The Carter cherished their trips back
home as well. The Southern forests provided
solitude and gave them time to reflect,
regenerating them with nature’s
beauty.
Post-Presidency Years
The life of a former president is very
busy, as Jimmy Carter has shown through
his efforts in the humanitarian programs
of the Carter Center. Although most
of the center’s  programs
are aimed at health care and nutrition
in third world countries, many agriculture
programs seek to increase productivity
while encouraging sound conservation
practices.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have personal
land holdings in Sumter and Webster
counties, Georgia. In the past, these
lands were used for agriculture and
timber production. After returning from
the White House in 1981, the Carters
reassessed their land use. Their objectives
were to make the lands economically
productive, providing for wildlife,
recreation, and to be good stewards
to the family’s lands. They adopted
a land use management plan and initiated
steps to meet their goals. The Carters’
land became a certified Tree Farm. To
set a good example for others, they
have publicly shared their views on
the stewardship, reforestation, conservation,
and protection of the environment.
The Carter’s prize quiet walks
in the woods. These experiences release
them from their hectic schedules and
allow them to spend time relaxing together
as husband and wife.
Jimmy Carter’s Views on
the Environment
Both Jimmy and Rosalynn Carters’
love of the outdoors is ties to their
strong religious beliefs and a special
closeness shared among their family.
These ties dated back to their early
years as they grew up in Plains. The
role of the church in their lives, along
with memorable outings with family members,
has created an especially strong attachment
to the outdoors. These values are consequential
since they are held by a former President
who had to make many decisions on issues
involving the environment, decisions
that affect future generations.
“It is good to realize that,
if love and peace can prevail on earth,
and if we can teach our children to
honor nature’s gifts, the joys
and beauties of the outdoors will be
here forever.”
From An Outdoor Journal by Jimmy Carter
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