P & S Farms is owned jointly by Bo, his wife Missy, and his parents. They grow 2,300 acres of row crops (corn, wheat and soybeans). They also have six swine finishing floors on contract (approximately 10,000 hogs annually) and have 60 brood cows. They also grow 2.5 acres of strawberries and 4 acres of sweet corn that are sold at their own roadside market. Bo represents the sixth generation to farm some of their land.

Cape Fear Farm Credit --director, chairman of Compensation Committee;  Robeson Co. Farm Bureau; NC Farm Bureau Energy and Transportation Committee

“We have adopted numerous conservation practices ranging from 100% no-till, variable rate fertilizer applications, variable rate planting, prescribed burning of forest lands and leaving field borders for the wildlife.  We also utilize soil moisture readings to schedule irrigation cycles, and have partnered with NRCS and N.C. State University on a pilot program comparing water usage and yields from sub-surface drip irrigation and center pivot irrigation.  We have been named  N.C.'s Conservation Farm Family of the Year for 2012 by NRCS.”

“For five years we operated a corn maze that hosted approximately 15,000 elementary students.  We took these children on a hay ride around the farm while we talked about ‘What's for Breakfast?’; They were able to see where each of these foods came from and left with a better understanding of the importance of agriculture. I have also had the opportunity to speak with numerous civic groups in our surrounding communities.”

“I recognize that farmers in general do a good job telling their stories to other farmers and related groups.  What we don't do as well is relaying our message to the consumers of our products and others who will have a part in shaping our futures.  If asked to serve in this capacity, I would hope to reach an audience that doesn't realize farmers have the same goals as them - to provide a safe, reliable, and affordable source of food while protecting our natural resources.”