TL/DR –
Franklin W. Howey Jr., a renowned conservationist in North Carolina, manages a large farm operation that spans over 21,000 acres, and implements methods such as minimal tillage and various cover crops to promote soil health and conservation. In partnership with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Howey has established unique conservation plans for each sector of his operation, and most recently, he has been approved for the implementation of forestry practices on 302 acres of his land, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA is responsible for allocating an extra $19.5 billion over a five-year period to support USDA conservation programs aiming to mitigate climate change, offering voluntary, incentive-based support for conservation activities and climate-smart mitigation strategies.
Franklin W. Howey Jr: A Conservation Champion in North Carolina
Published on May 28, 2024
Located in the midst of urban sprawl in North Carolina sits a farm managed by Franklin W. Howey Jr. A long-time advocate for conservation, Howey has been a farmer since childhood.
Howey sustains around 21,000 acres primarily with his family, utilizing minimal tillage depending on soil type and a variety of cover crops. Through his farming practices, he demonstrates a deep understanding of the interplay between conservation and farming, earning him numerous agricultural awards.
Aside from row cropping and land preservation, the family also manages cattle and forestry operations. Owing to such diverse activities, Howey recognizes the importance of capitalizing on extra resources to safeguard his land’s natural resources. He developed distinct conservation plans for each operation in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Recently, Howey obtained approval for implementing forestry practices on 302 acres of his land, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This will enhance plant productivity, health, structure, and composition of his forest land, sequestering CO2 and reducing climate impact, in line with the IRA’s goals.
“We prioritize no till farming with cover crops to sequester carbon, minimizing our impact on the environment. This strategy improves soil health and yield potential for both the short- and long-term,” stated Frank Howey Jr.
The IRA provides an additional $19.5 billion over five years to aid USDA’s conservation programs that mitigate climate change. Conservation funds were made available in 2023 to private landowners, supporting conservation practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon.
Howey previously collaborated with the USDA-NRCS in 2010, installing a grassed waterway on his property to control erosion and enhance runoff water quality. “Landowners like Mr. Howey are instrumental in addressing natural resource concerns on their land, they’re at the forefront of carbon capture and addressing climate change,” commended Julius George, Acting State Conservationist.
Frank Howey is a dedicated advocate of conservation, using his vast farmland responsibly. His contribution to farming and conservation benefits future generations.
To learn more about USDA’s role, visit usda.gov.
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