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Johnny Barnes

Jul 19, 2025
Johnny Barnes, North Carolina sweet potato grower, remembered

Johnny Barnes, a leading North Carolina sweet potato grower and agriculture advocate, has died. 

Barnes, 61, died July 12 after complications from a recent illness.

Johnny Barnes photo
Johnny Barnes

A lifelong resident of Spring Hope, North Carolina, Barnes dedicated his life to farming and family, playing a pivotal role in the growth of North Carolina’s sweetpotato industry through his leadership at Barnes Farming Corporation and Farm Pak Products. He was a driving force behind the company’s success, helping to position it as one of the largest sweet potato operations in the world, according to a news release.

The American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI), the US Sweet Potato Council, and the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission (NCSC) including the broader agricultural community mourn the loss of Barnes, according to the release.

“Johnny Barnes’ legacy is etched in the rich soil of North Carolina and the global recognition of the state’s signature crop,” according to the release. “Barnes’ passion for farming extended beyond production. He was a founding force behind many sweetpotato initiatives that shaped market growth, export expansion, and advocacy for North Carolina growers. He worked tirelessly with industry groups and policymakers to protect and promote the interests of farmers in the state, region and nation, always doing so with a commitment to integrity.”

Barnes recognized the opportunity to help form and lead the ASPMI in 2014 and served as its president until this spring. This organization helps promote the national industry in introducing and marketing the world’s premium sweet potatoes across the globe.

North Carolina Sweet Potatoes NCSP logo“Johnny was more than a grower — he was a visionary who helped elevate North Carolina sweetpotatoes onto the global stage,” Michelle Grainger, North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission’s executive director, said in the release. “His legacy lives in the fields he stewarded, the people he mentored, and the standards of excellence he set for our entire industry. He was not just respected, he was loved.”

Johnny was a man of quiet strength and unwavering values, Jose “Pepe” Calderon, sales manager at Farm Pak, said in the release. Barnes believed in doing things the right way instead of the easy way. 

“Every person who worked with him learned something about dedication, patience, and pride in their work,” Calderon said in the release. “While his absence leaves a deep void, his impact will be felt for generations.” 

Barnes’ son, Josh Barnes, plans to continue his father’s legacy by leading Barnes Farming Corporation and carrying forward his father’s vision for innovation and stewardship in agriculture.

Barnes is survived by his wife, North Carolina State Senator Lisa Stone Barnes, their children Bethany (Grayson), Josh (Rachel), and Jacy (Charlie), four grandchildren, his mother Maxine (Norman), a niece and other extended family members.

Visitation was scheduled for the afternoon of July 19 with a memorial service on July 20 at Ridgecrest Worship Center, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. 

Flowers are accepted or donations can be made to The Johnny Barnes Foundation for Medical Research: First Carolina Bank, 171 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

 

 

 




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