Jerry Holder and his brother Joel grew up on a Cameron, North Carolina tobacco farm. Farming is in their blood; it is who they are. Working with their dad, they raised chicken (broilers and layers), hogs, and beef cattle, and they grew the food to feed the animals.

Jerry attended school at Vass-Lakeview Elementary, Union Pines High School, and graduated with an Associated degree in Civil Engineering from Sandhills Community College. After college, Jerry worked as a surveyor and in highway construction.

Eventually, Jerry felt drawn back to the farm this time producing North Carolina Long Leaf Pine Trees and cultivating longleaf pine mulch. In addition to the pine straw, the brothers also raised beef cattle and chickens. Once they dabbled in an ostrich craze and for a short time raising horses. Now the focus is cultivating pine straw.

Meanwhile, Jerry served in the North Carolina National Guard from 1971 to 2012.