Ronnie Burleson, a third-generation farmer, co-owned Thurman Burleson & Sons Farm with his brother Dennis, son Andrew, and nephew Aaron. Though now retired, Ronnie was instrumental in reintroducing cotton to the Piedmont region in 1991, over 40 years after the boll weevil had driven it out. Today, Andrew Burleson leads the farm, which spans 3,400 acres—2,000 of which are dedicated to cotton, with the rest used for growing corn and soybeans.