Hawbaker Farms – Lafayette, Indiana
Red Gold tomato growers since 2000, Hawbaker Farms now spans across seven generations. Most of the immediate family is involved in the operation, and daily discussions about the expectations of the day, week and future are key to their success.
Taking care of the fields
Every year we take soil samples from each field to help make adjustments to our fertilizer program. We also make sure every field has irrigation. Some fields have pivot irrigation systems and others have a drip tape system.
Harvest Time!
Approximately two hundred fifty acres of tomatoes are planted each year. Our family enjoys the entire season but harvest is definitely our favorite. After harvest, we plant cover crops for erosion control and to help keep the nutrients in the soil.
Family Grown
Agriculture is a very rewarding industry and an amazing way to raise a family, but it does have it’s challenges. We always want to have our family roots in agriculture while growing our commercial businesses.
Industry and community involvement are very important to Hawbaker Farms. Various family members have served on the Agri Institute Board of Directors, Purdue Center Commercial Ag Advisory Board, Indiana Director of Ag Advisory Board and Fieldwatch Board of Directors. They also host tours at the Purdue School of Agriculture and work with FFA (Future Farmers of America) so the kids can learn more about what they do and how agriculture works.
