The Howell Family Farm – Middletown, Indiana
Meet the Howell family farm – Red Gold growers since 1995. Not only that, they’re the second largest producer of Red Gold tomatoes and a recognized leader in the industry.
David and Mary Howell built their farm from the ground up in 1972, raising a family and the crops to support them. In the midst of the agricultural depression of the 1980’s, which was a very difficult time for first generation farmers, they adopted the farm motto, “Growing With Gratitude“. Five decades later they are still working, gratefully, alongside their sons, Adam and Aaron, who now manager all the farming operations. Their ten grandchildren are learning to be grateful for the land which sustains them and the life they have on their second-generation family farm.
Families Need Families
It’s not hard to see why Red Gold is such a perfect fit for the Howells. They’ve been partners for 30 years and will more than likely be so for many more.
“Red Gold’s a family. It’s one of those places that you rarely find. They’re pro-farmers and, well, it’s just a good place to be.” – David
Adam Howell
Much like his brother, Adam Howell doesn’t fit into most people’s ideas of what a ‘stereotypical farmer’ might be. As Mary won’t hesitate to tell you, “Adam earned his economics degree from Princeton. He could have chosen from multiple career paths, yet, unbelievably, decided to come back here and make production agriculture his career.”
Aaron Howell
There’s nothing typical about Aaron Howell. Sure, he knows tomatoes, but after graduation from Texas A&M University and while getting his graduate degree at Purdue University, he also decided production agriculture was his career choice. He spent five grueling years developing an investment farm in Brazil and then returned home to join in growing the Indiana farm into a large and efficient 21st century operation – still owned and managed by family.
Although Adam and Aaron are only the second generation on their own farm, the connection with family and agriculture in the family is historic. Farming has been a part of every generation of the Howell family since Edward Howell emigrated to America in 1638 in search of greater religious freedom. He built the first water mill on Long Island, New York, which still stands today. The Howells of Indiana are no different. They work together every day pouring their abilities and energies into continual improvement of the operations and land entrusted to them. They fully intend to leave it even more efficient and productive for future generations who will, no doubt, continued “Growing with Gratitude.”
Adam and Aaron are no strangers to working together. They’ve done it all their lives. So as they take over the family business, they already have a connection that doesn’t require much idle chitchat. “We don’t talk much in the brotherly sense. I guess we just almost know what the other one’s thinking, and we know where we both stand.” – Adam