In this series, we want you to get more familiar with the growers across the state that are representing you on the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association.
Forrest Howell farms 8,000 acres in Beaufort County with his dad, uncles, cousins, and brothers as part of Howell Farms in Beaufort County, N.C. The Howells grow corn, wheat, and soybeans. Forrest is severing in the third year of his first term and was elected to the Executive Committee in 2020.
Forrest has been farming with his family since he was old enough to drive a tractor but officially returned home to work full time in 2016 after receiving a Bachelors in Agricultural Science and a Masters in Entomology from N.C. State. Forrest brings a new perspective to the Howell operation and has been critical in implementing technology on their farm to help with data collection and analysis.
As a young farmer, Forrest thinks about what the future of farming looks like for his generation. He understands consumers want to feel a connection with their food, and know where it came from, how it was grown, and when it was harvested. He thinks this will shape the future of agriculture production. Forrest knows his generation of farmers will have to adapt to these changing attitudes towards farming as previous generations have adapted to changes in the past. Forrest is optimistic about the future of farming in this country and confident this next generation of farmers will continue to make strides toward greater sustainability and efficiency.
Forrest has enjoyed serving on the NCSPA board because it allows him to connect with growers across the state and work together to promote N.C. soybeans and N.C. agriculture. When he’s not farming, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and cheering on the Wolfpack!
