Source: NCDA&CS, 11/4/19

Johnnie Howard has been named as the new superintendent of the Cherry Research Station in Goldsboro.

Howard has held various management positions at the research station during the past eight years. He most recently served as assistant superintendent and interim superintendent. Howard brings a wealth of knowledge to the position as the sole owner and operator of his family farm for more than 25 years. He has raised flue-cured tobacco, pickling cucumbers, cotton, corn, soybeans, small grains, hay, beef and swine.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from N.C. State University.

The Cherry Research Station is located on the western edge of Goldsboro and covers 2,245 acres. The land transferred to NCDA&CS in 1974 and was used as a source of food for Cherry Hospital. In the mid-80s, the farm transitioned to use by the Research Stations Division. Since 1994, the farm research has focused on sustainable agriculture, with a mix of livestock operations and field and horticulture crops.