Carson Barnes, sweet potato industry leader, dies
Barnes began farming in 1960 with three-eighths of an acre of sweet potatoes and eight acres tobacco. His company, Barnes Farming Corporation, has grown to become the largest sweet potato grower and shipper in the country.
“Barnes Farming Corporation and Farm Pak Products has always been a family operation that strives to do business the right way” said Johnny Barnes, president of Barnes Farming. “We want the memory of my dad and former president to serve as a reminder to continue to grow the best quality sweet potatoes from field to fork.”
“Carson Barnes will forever be remembered as one who dedicated his life to the entire industry. He was one of the firsts of many things. His innovation and vision helped make us all as successful as we could be,” said Kelly McIver, executive director of the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission.
Barnes was also an avid supporter of NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In 2008, Barnes announced the creation of the Henry M. Covington Endowment for Excellence in Sweet Potato Variety Development.
His livelihood was sweet potato farming, recalled close family members and friends. “He didn’t have many hobbies, farming was his hobby. It was his life.”