Howell Farms
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    The History of Howell Farms

    Howell Farms was founded in 1972 by David and Mary Howell. They produced corn and soybeans on 300 rented acres using borrowed equipment and ran a small farrow-to-finish hog enterprise. An interest in horticultural crop production – and a fire which destroyed the farrowing house – led to the establishment of an onsite, retail farm market in 1977. Apples, sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes and melons were among the multiple fruit and vegetable crops grown for sale in the farm market. School tours and festivals were commonplace during the 25 years of retail sales.

    Production of Red Gold processing tomatoes was added in 1995. When sons Adam and Aaron returned from university to join the family business in the early 2000s, corn and soybean production grew along with a transformation to larger scale fruit and vegetable production. The crop mix was reduced to those which could be produced efficiently and marketed profitably on larger acreages.

    During those transformative years, Adam and Aaron originated an investment company to purchase and operate a large farm in Bahia, Brazil. Aaron and his wife, Katy, moved to Brazil to manage this farming company. They steered the farm from bare land to a productive operation growing cotton and soybeans. With this rigorous management the goals of the Brazilian venture were met and Aaron was able to return to the Indiana farm after five years.

    Howell Farms of Crossroads LLC was formed in 2013 as the operating entity for the farm. It remains a diversified, family farming business headquartered in central Indiana. Production includes Red Gold tomatoes along with the traditional corn, soybeans, malting barley and wheat for processing flour. David and Mary continue to work at the farm but Adam and Aaron provide the intensive agronomic and economic management.

    Despite turbulent global events, we are excited about the future of production agriculture. Rapid consolidation of the U.S. agriculture industry, shrinking farmland base, strong global demand for high protein diets, seed genetics and technological adaptations for agriculture are factors which present opportunities for farmers who are prepared and able to meet the demands of the new production age. Carefully planned growth is a necessity which defines our perspective; it is not a means to satisfy egos. We plan and work to responsibly outpace the competition in order to secure our place in the agricultural industry of the 21st century.

    The land we farm is revered as our most valuable natural resource to be cared for without exception. Intensive sustainability is a goal which pervades naturally in every facet of planning and operations; we are driven to continually increase production efficiently in our model of a large commercial, family farm. We believe this model will answer critical, global food demands of the future.

    Scroll through the timeline above to see the notable events in our more than 50-year history.

    • David Howell completes Master's Thesis at Purdue University

      Published thesis entitled "An Economic Study of Full-Time Labor on Indiana Farms"

    • David and Mary Howell are married and Howell Farms established

      They started with 300 acres of rented land and borrowed machinery

    • David and Mary move to current headquarters farm

    • First grain bins are constructed

      A grain facility master plan is established and used over next 45 years

    • First non-traditional crop is planted

      1/2 acre of strawberries are grown and on-site farm market is created in a converted hog building

    • David Howell is elected National Chairman of AFB Young Farmer and Rancher Committee

      American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee

    • President Jimmy Carter imposes embargo on US grain sales to USSR

      Grain prices fall and interest rates rise precipitously

    • Howell Farms puts up the plow

      No-till and reduced tillage practices are initiated

    • David Howell becomes member of the First Indiana Agriculture Leadership Class

      Sponsored by Indiana Institute of Agriulture, Food and Nutrition

    • David Howell appointed by Governor Robert Orr

      Works to create "Strategic Plan for Indiana Agriculture"

    • Full line of fruits and vegetables grown and sold at Howell Farm Market

      Fruit and vegetable Production has grown to 14 acres of strawberries plus 100 acres of sweet corn, melons and other vegetables

    • The first school tours are conducted

      Visiting children learn the importance of agriculture to daily life

    • Traditional corn and soybean production has grown to over 4,000 acres

    • First crop of Red Gold tomatoes is produced

      Tomato production begins with 80 acres and shared equipment

    • Adam Howell earns degree in Economics from Princeton University

      Adam heads west to work on harvesting crew after graduating

    • Revenues from non-traditional crops account for 50% of total

      Red Gold tomatoes and fresh market vegetables push horticulture crops even with corn and soybeans

    • Adam decides to make agriculture his career and visits Brazil for first time

      Adam becomes fluent in Portuguese and seeks investment opportunities in Brazilian agriculture

    • David is founding board member of Indiana Corn Marketing Council

      Indiana legislature grants provisional funding

    • Satellite guidance systems put in use

      Efficiency is sought after goal

    • Aaron Howell earns degree in Ag Business from Texas A&M

      Aaron elects to pursue Master's Degree at Purdue University following graduation

    • Over 200,000 visitors have learned about agriculture on school tours since 1986

      Decision is made to discontinue school tours and retail sales on site

    • Aaron earns Master's degree from Purdue University

      Aaron decides to join the family farm and pursue career in production agriculture

    • Vegetable production is scaled to second generation farm

      Crop mix is decreased to four enterprises: corn, soybeans, Red Gold processing tomatoes and Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins

    • Aaron moves to Bahia, Brazil to manage investment farm

      Aaron and Katy make home in Brazil

    • Cover crops introduced

      Cover crops are used to improve soil health, sequester fertilizer, provide organic matter, and limit erosion

    • Pumpkin production grows to over 600 acres

      Howell Farms produces 1% of all fresh market pumpkins in USA

    • Geo-referenced data management technology implemented

      Site-specific and variable rate technology emphasized to maximize efficienty and reduce waste

    • Aaron completes Class 15 of Indiana Ag Leadership Program

      Aaron joins list of Ag Leaders in Indiana

    • Adam selected for 20 Under 40

      Adam is recognized for business accomplishments

    • Aaron appointed to Purdue University Dean of Agriculture's Advisory Council

      The Dean's Advisory Council offers industry insights and direction to the University's School of Agriculture