Basketball and farming are more than a career for Coach Bobby Howard, they are reflections of character
HARRISON, ARK. – As the sounds of fans cheering and the smell of concession stand popcorn float through the gymnasium at North Arkansas College, Coach Bobby Howard takes the court. What the crowd doesn’t know is that within moments of the final buzzer sounding, Howard will be rushing home to roll out a fresh bale of hay for his heifers on the verge of calving.
For the past 40 years, women’s college basketball has been the strongest heartstring for Arkansas native Bobby Howard. However, for the past decade, running parallel to that passion has been his newfound love of livestock production. Set firmly at the helm of Howard Farms, which includes a small herd of Brangus cross cattle, Howard brings the same discipline, heart and leadership to the pasture that he has long brought to the court.
Howard, the athletic director and women’s basketball coach at North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas, manages a 60-acre farm where 19 cows, nine calves and a handful of bred heifers make up his growing herd.
“What started as a pre-retirement project has really grown into a huge passion,” Howard said.
Even with a full schedule of practices, recruiting and game preparation, Howard still carves out time for the herd that has become an extension of his family. Although he admits balancing both worlds is not always easy.
“Balancing coaching with livestock production keeps life busy, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” said Howard. “The farm gives me a sense of purpose that complements what I do on the court.”
Howard’s passion for basketball spans four decades, with 20 years at the collegiate level and 35 years coaching women’s teams. He has built his career by mentoring athletes and shaping programs.
“My desire to be perfect on the court carries over to the farm,” Howard said. “I want everything to be good and always striving to make it better. Work hard and good things will happen.”
That pursuit of excellence guides both his coaching philosophy and his cattle management style. Whether leading a team into overtime or checking on cows before sunrise, Howard brings the same consistency and work ethic.
“I constantly tell my players that luck is when opportunity meets preparation, and the same goes for cattle production,” Howard said.
Much of Howard’s knowledge of livestock production comes from experience and observation.
His appreciation for agriculture is rooted in family tradition, and those early lessons in responsibility and perseverance are ones he hopes to pass down. That legacy reaches each of his grandkids, including his granddaughter, Slone Vericker, who lives in Maumelle, Arkansas. When Sloane and her parents, Lacey and Bryan Vericker, visit, the farm becomes a welcome escape from city life. A place they can feed cows, ride along in the side-by-side and soak in the land he loves so much.
“I want my kids and grandkids to learn and appreciate all aspects of farming,” Howard said, “from livestock care to the care needed for equipment and the land.”
The same foundation disciplines of patience and preparation have shaped Howard’s coaching career. For him, the connection between athletics and agriculture run deeper than it seems.
“Success on the farm is when the land is at its best, the herd is at its best and the equipment doesn’t fail,” he said. “On the court, we also try to prepare and be ready for anything that comes our way.”
Life on the farm hasn’t come without its challenges. A tornado that ripped across northern Arkansas in May of 2024, impacted the Howard family in big way.
“We faced a devasting tornado that wiped out our barn and most of the fence and corral along with my son’s home,” he said.
Despite this setback, Howard approaches adversity with the same resilience he teaches his players. The lessons learned in athletics of teamwork, persistence and focus translate seamlessly to rebuilding fences and barns.
Howard’s passion for both basketball and farming has grown into a true family operation. His son, Clint, daughter-in-law, Kayla and grandsons, Knox and Riggins, stay involved both on the farm and on the court.
Kayla, serves as the assistant coach and helps with the day-to-day work on the farm. That dual role and the closeness of their family natural blurs the lines between “Coach Howard” and “Bobby”, depending on the moment.
“Working alongside Bobby in both atmospheres has been so rewarding,” Kayla said. “He’s taught me more about the game and more about farm work that I’ve ever known. He’s allowed me to be part of the game I love and brought a new love for farming I didn’t think I’d ever have.”
Kayla said the farm has been an unexpected blessing for their family, offering lessons that extend beyond agriculture.
After 42 years of marriage to his wife, Becky, Howard remains grateful for a life that bridges two seemingly different yet deeply connected callings.
“I love my job as a coach and educator, but I also love life on the farm,” Howard said. “I wouldn’t change anything if I could.”
For Howard, both basketball and farming are more than a career, they are reflections of character. Each season, whether measured in wins or calving rate, reminds him that success isn’t about perfection, but persistence.
