ABOUT
I grew up farming
I drove tractors and planted hundreds of acres of crops like my grandfather, tended livestock like my great-grandfather and worked in the mill like my father. I grew up thinking I would live my life on the family farm. With the wisdom of my father, I was led in a different direction and began a career in executive coaching, helping business leaders grow themselves, their teams, and their profits.
Ten Years Later
I happened upon an information session on beekeeping and was fascinated by the behavior and nature of bees, their unceasing work to pack away honey, the structure of the colony, and the fact that they do all this instinctively, as they have since creation, without intervention. My passion for farming was reignited and I began keeping bees and farming greens and fruits out of our suburban backyard.
In 2016, my wife and I dreamed of expanding our small suburban farm into something larger. As a young girl, my wife grew up cutting down a Christmas Tree each winter. It was one of her most treasured family traditions and memories. Yearly she mentioned how she wished Williamson County, TN had a Christmas tree farm so we could recreate this special memory with our three children. Little did we know that the Lord would lead us to start just that in 2019.
Since 1839, generations of Howertons have farmed along Honey Creek in West Central Missouri. I am the seventh generation. Although hundreds of miles separate me from the original farm, the tradition lives on in Tennessee through Honey Creek Christmas Tree Farm.
Howerton Farm, circa 1920
Our Mission
We strive to provide the highest quality products to the glory of God. Simplicity is at the heart of Honey Creek Christmas Tree Farm. Much like the farm values I was raised with our farm is welcoming, family friendly, hard-working, and wholesome. We're committed to creating a magical, Christmas experience your own whole family can enjoy.
Our Family
My name is Michael Howerton and I'm the farmer and beekeeper. My wife is my city girl turned farmer and our photographer and designer. We have three darling children 8 years old and younger, and consider each of them gifts from God, made in His image. Our Christmas Tree Farm is a family affair. Whether we are clearing the land, plotting the fields, digging thousands of holes, planting saplings, shaping trees, or welcoming families; we are doing it together. We value working hard, living simply, laughing often, and going to the farmers market for donuts on the weekend! We love adventures and creating intentional family memories. We are learning how to live life to the fullest. We love what we do and are thankful that God opened the door for us to pursue this farm together. Middle TN is our home, although the 800 acre family farm in MO will always be in our hearts.
