Meet the Board: Michael McPherson

Michael McPherson always knew he wanted to be a farmer. His love for agriculture dates all the way back to 1948, which is when his grandfather started the dairy farm that his current operation now sits on. In 1989, the farm transitioned to row crops and hay, with direction from Michael’s father. The farm now…

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Meet the Board: Keith Caldwell

As generations become removed from the farm, an unintentional disconnect is created between farmers and consumers, making it important that people share their stories and help bridge this gap. Farmer and newest executive committee member, Keith Caldwell, shares his story and encourages other farmers to share theirs, in hopes of preserving their way of life.…

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Meet the Board: Jamie Carrick

What do you get when you combine a major in Communications Studies and minor in History? For Jamie Carrick, the answer is a farmer! This was the path Jamie took when he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jamie also played football for the Heels, and though his background may seem atypical…

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Meet the Board: Gary Hendrix

    Since he could walk, Gary Hendrix has been planting seeds on the family farm. Hendrix, president of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association board of directors, is a third-generation farmer in Hoke County. Hendrix Farms was established in the 1930’s by his grandfather, and was later operated by Gary’s father, growing cotton, tobacco…

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Meet the Board: Forrest Howell

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,…

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Meet the Board: Cole Beasley Phillips

At the NCSPA, board seats are determined by the number of acres of beans produced in the county. That is why many of our directors come from the east to central region of NC. Cole Beasley Phillips joined the NCSPA in 2023 as the newest representative of Duplin County. Cole’s farming operation is located in…

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Meet the Board: Benjamin Long

Many producers in North Carolina come from a long line of farmers… not Benjamin Long! Relatively new to the game, Ben is a first-generation farmer who has been raising crops on his land for the past 7 years. Ben’s team of 2 raises soybeans, corn, cotton, and peanuts in Martin County, North Carolina.  Ben went…

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Meet the Board: Adrian Locklear

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. Today we will be introducing you to Adrian Locklear! Adrian Locklear farms 3000 acres in Maxton, N.C. as part of the Locklear Brothers Farm with his brother, Donovan…

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Helping Local Farms and Neighbors in Need

Developed by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF), the Farmers and Communities Manage Deer (FCMD) project has successfully demonstrated that when farmers, sportsmen, and community groups work together, deer damage to crops can be reduced, farm income and community revenues can be improved, and high-quality ground meat can be efficiently processed and delivered to those…

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