Howard Family Farm Is Conservationist of the Year
Approximately 65 people attended the “Conservationists of the Year” banquet held at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Camp in Newton County, on February 25.
The banquet is held by the Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation Commission in partnership with local businesses and organizations that provide financial contributions to fund the event. The event honors individuals who have excelled in conservation efforts to protect our natural resources in the past year.
The keynote speaker for the night was Serra P. Hall, the senior project manager for Newton/Covington Economic Development. Also, in attendance was special guest Terrance Rudolph, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The 2020 Conservationist of the Year for Jasper County was presented to Howard Family Farms, owned and operated by Albert Howard and Elbert Howard. Local Upper Ocmulgee River District supervisor Chairman Phillip Standard and Preston Wynens along with District Conservationist Dennis Brooks stated this was a well-deserved award for the brother’s dedication, commitment and passion to being good stewards to the land.
The Howard family has lived in Monticello/Jasper County for generations. Albert and Elbert Howard have owned their current farm for the past 17 years and first started farming when they were just 14 years old.
The Howard Brothers are identical twins who have always had a passion for the outdoors and farming. They were able to turn their passion into a business. Together they have approximately 260 acres owned/leased with a 108-acre hayfield. They have roughly 101 head of cattle, consisting of 96 cows, 42 calves, and 1 bull. The cattle breeds are Angus and Brangus. The brothers have also never used any antibiotics or hormones on their cattle, they simply add salt to the cow’s water.
Howard Family Farms are implementing a Conservation Stewardship Plan (CSP) with the local NRCS office. This has helped them implement a grazing management system to improve livestock grazing, precision application, rotation of supplement and feeding areas to reduce localized areas of disturbances and improve wildlife habitat. They have a total of eight fields that are planted with Legumes (clover) and rye grass in which they can rotate their head of cattle on to prevent overgrazing.
In addition, to working with the NRCS, the brothers have also been implementing the No-Till Drill method for most of the 17 years they have owned/leased the land. This method helps reduce the amount of soil erosion that tillage can cause in certain soils, increase the amount of water infiltration in the soil, and reduce soil compaction.
Along with cattle farming they also grow vegetables such as tomatoes, collards, turnips, squash, peppers, and much more. On an average the brothers will plant anywhere from 800-1,000 tomato plants every year. The family sells their produce, canned goods and fried pies at the Monticello Farmers Market, the Jasper County Deer Festival and other areas with the help of their nephew, sisters, and other family members.
Howard Family Farms is a notable example of landowners conducting outstanding conservation work on their land and have proved their commitment to maintaining the land and the natural resources of the Upper Ocmulgee River District. Not only do they implement the best management practices to their farm to better the land for themselves, but they are also helping to create a diverse habitat for wildlife. The Howard Brothers came up with a phrase that goes with their farm “Living Off the Land.” When asked what made them decide on that phrase, the brothers replied with “Land is the most valuable resource in the world, and we don’t make no more land.”
The Upper Ocmulgee River Conservation District promotes conservation efforts and education throughout its service area, which makes up Jasper and Newton counties. For more information about the Upper Ocmulgee River District, contact the local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Madison at 706-342-1315.
