As fewer people grow up on farms, it’s easy to forget where our food really comes from and who’s behind it. That’s why farmers like Caleb Slager, a new board member of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, are stepping up to share their stories and encourage others to do the same.
Caleb lives in Pantego and works full-time on his family farm, Southland Farms, just down the road in Belhaven. The farm was started in the 1970s by his grandfather, who moved from Wendell, NC. Over the years, the farm has grown into a diverse operation that now produces cotton, corn, soybeans, and winter wheat.
For Caleb, farming isn’t just a career; it’s who he is. “It’s all I’ve ever known since I was born,” he says. Instead of going to college, he made the decision to start farming straight out of high school, following in the footsteps of the generations before him. He finds joy in the simple, meaningful parts of farm life, working the land, caring for God’s creation, and living a life rooted in tradition. But it’s not always easy. Rising input costs and the increasing price of land rent are big challenges, and like most farmers, Caleb feels the pressure. Still, what drives him most is the future and the chance to pass the farm on to the next generation.
That desire to stay connected and informed is what led him to join the NC Soybean Producers Association board in 2025. He’s part of the Outreach Committee and says even though he’s still learning the ropes, it’s already helping him connect with other growers and stay up to date on what’s happening across the ag community. Looking ahead, Caleb sees a lot of opportunity, but he also knows the road won’t always be easy. Farming comes with long hours, hard work, and plenty of sleepless nights. But through it all, he’s committed to doing what it takes to keep the farm going strong. “It’s more than a job,” Caleb says. “It’s about family, legacy, and faith.”
By sharing stories like his, Caleb hopes to bridge the growing gap between farmers and consumers, reminding all of us that behind every crop is a family, a story, and a whole lot of heart.
