Nathan ('00) and Michelle Howell (’00): Owners, Need More Acres Farm and Community Farmers Market

During the months of June and July, we will share advice for success from our WKU Hilltopper Alumni. This week, we highlight Nathan and Michelle Howell.

“It’s important to be true to your unique experiences, talent, and passion,” said Nathan ('00) and Michelle Howell (’00), owners of Need More Acres and the Community Farmers Market in Bowling Green.  

“When we graduated from WKU with degrees in agriculture, both of us dreamed of owning our own small-scale farm one day,” Michelle said.  “We convinced ourselves that becoming professionals that provided education and assistance to farmers was the most responsible thing to do, but the dream never left us.” 

In 2013, they became full-time farmers. Their farm, Need More Acres, now grows fruits and vegetables. In addition, the Howells join other farms to provide a multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that also includes meat, milk, cheese, eggs, and bread.

“Learning to communicate well and to collaborate with people in our community has been critical to our success as farmers,” the Howells said. The Community Supported Agriculture program feeds 35 families. 

The Howells’ different experiences with food from their youth joined together when they married. Nathan grew up on a tobacco farm in Hart County, while Michelle grew up with limited access to food. According to the Howells, Nathan’s passion for getting people on the farm full-time aligned with Michelle’s determination that their food meet the needs of the community in an equitable way. 

In 2011, they co-founded the Community Farmers Market, a producer-only farmers’ market, with Martin and Jolene Stone. The market provides a Kentucky Double Dollars program for SNAP users and a Fresh Rx Program for expectant moms on Medicaid. 

Michelle said, “The food we grow is available at HOTEL INC, Bowling Green and Allen County Scottsville schools, Boyce General Store, and on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Community Farmers Market.”  

Need More Acres is located in Scottsville, Kentucky. Learn more about the farm at https://www.needmoreacres.com or visit them on social media at @needmoreacresfarm.

WKU Alumni News Profile by Aurelia Spaulding ('06, '10, '12)