“I have enjoyed being able to work alongside my family, particularly my granddaddy and dad,” he says. “That’s just something a lot of people don’t get to do. And to take that a step further, getting to teach my kids and watch them grow is probably the best thing.”
Matt and his wife April have three sons, Wilson, Preston and Evan. Wilson and his wife Drew live in Athens where he helps run day to day operations. Preston is a junior at Auburn University majoring in Agricultural Business and Economics with a minor in crop and soil science, while Evan plans to attend Mississippi State University in the Fall to study Ag Science.
Matt describes Haney Farms as a one built on hard work and sweat equity passed down through generations. His motto is: work hard to make it the best it can be and then leave it to his children to take it even further. That mindset guides everything he does even in the toughest of times.
Today, the operation rests solely on his shoulders, which, admittedly, is a lot of pressure. The last few years have been especially tough for farmers due to the rising cost of commodities, inflation, and razor-thin margins. For Matt, it’s all about adjusting and keeping the faith.
Over the years, Matt has seen major changes in agriculture, especially with technology. While he sees the benefits of utilizing new tools like artificial intelligence (AI) during the planning process, he believes farming is still hands-on.
“AI can do a lot of things, but it can’t replace farming. There are certain things that you just cannot replace and a farmer is one of them.”
“AI can do a lot of things, but it can’t replace farming. There are certain things that you just cannot replace and a farmer is one of them.”
Another challenge plaguing farmers in North Alabama is urban sprawl especially with the incredible growth of nearby Huntsville. Matt’s plan of attack: adapt!
“We just have to figure out a way to fit in. We have to be thinking about where we need to be by the time the traffic gets really bad and be conscientious about moving our equipment at certain times of the day.”
The word “adapt” comes up often when he talks about farming. Adapt to markets. Adapt to growth. Adapt to change. But through it all, stay steady.
For Matt, being on the Board means listening closely to what’s happening “at the farm gate in the real world” and helping guide decisions with those realities in mind while representing and being the voice of farmers in Limestone County.
He believes relationships are at the heart of the Co-op. “The relationship between farmers and the Co-op is critical. They have been established a lot of times, over a really long time through multiple generations,” Haney says. “My granddaddy was on the Co-op Board and here I am now, three generations later, still in the Co-op.”
For AFC members, Matt Haney represents more than North Alabama. He represents a generation committed to stewardship, family, faith and forward-thinking resilience.
Born to farm, and determined to help Alabama farmers thrive.
