David “Harrell” Overman of Goldsboro, North Carolina has been named the 2025 Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year for North Carolina, a well-earned honor for this sixth-generation farmer whose legacy is deeply rooted in both row crops and pork production.
At just 14, Overman began farming a 13-acre tobacco plot rented from his grandfather. Today, alongside his wife Lorenda and their extended family, Overman operates Overman Farms—raising corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and managing a robust pork operation with 44 finishing barns across five sites and a 42,000-head space capacity, yielding approximately 84,000 hogs annually.
The Overmans have made it a priority to keep their operation sustainable and family-run. Lorenda, their daughter Betsy, and son-in-law Ryan Roberson all play critical roles in farm management, payroll, and operations. Their 11 grandchildren are already active in 4-H, gaining experience in livestock care and exhibiting animals.
Adapting for the Future
Overman Farms has continually evolved, switching from Goldsboro Milling to contracts with Smithfield Foods and Prestage Farms following industry shifts. Harrell emphasizes that these decisions were made to ensure long-term viability for the next generation.
In addition to pork production, the Overmans have implemented diversified income strategies, including converting less-productive land into a solar energy site and enrolling farmland in conservation easements to ward off urban development. They’re also installing methane digesters at all five hog farm sites—cutting odors, producing renewable energy, and contributing to environmental stewardship.
“We monitor nitrogen levels quarterly and report waste applications to the Department of Environmental Quality,” Harrell explained. “Our recycled water system irrigates spray fields, fertilizes hay crops, and minimizes overall water use while maximizing fertilizer efficiency.”
The operation uses precision agriculture tools, such as GPS application and “Y-drop” systems for fertilizers and chemicals, to reduce waste and improve compliance.
Commitment to Leadership and Advocacy
Harrell has served as president and board member of the Wayne County Farm Bureau and sits on the NC Farm Bureau State and Executive Boards. Lorenda is equally engaged, serving in key leadership roles with the NC Pork Council, American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, and more.
“Sustainability, leadership, and family are the foundation of our operation,” Harrell shared. “We’ve faced hurricanes, market volatility, and labor challenges, but we’ve always adapted—together.”
Looking Ahead
Harrell Overman’s recognition as 2025 Farmer of the Year reflects not only decades of innovation and resilience, but also his deep commitment to pork production, land stewardship, and family legacy. His nomination came from Taylor Fish of the NC Farm Bureau, who described him as a role model for sustainable agriculture in Eastern North Carolina.
“Harrell’s dedication to building a resilient operation for future generations makes him a standout,” said Fish. “He leads with purpose, values, and a clear vision for the future of agriculture.”
Judging for the overall 2025 Farmer of the Year will take place the week of August 5–8, with visits from a panel of experts representing several Southeastern universities and ag organizations.
Swine Web congratulates Harrell Overman and the Overman family on this outstanding recognition and their ongoing leadership in the pork industry.
