Team

Tom Byrd

President and Founder

Tom Byrd, 71, grew up on his grandfather’s organic farm in Indiana, giving him deep roots in sustainable agriculture. After a 30-year career as a municipal contractor in California, he returned to farming, managing the 40-acre Byrd Family Farm in North Carolina for the last four years, raising organic grain and pork. Married to Linda since 1983, with 7 children and 9 grandchildren, Tom’s lifelong passion—“you can’t take the farm out of the boy”—drives ARFC’s vision to revive farming communities with regenerative practices.

Tom Byrd

President and Founder

Charles E. (Ed) Howze

Vice President

Ed Howze brings a wealth of agricultural and leadership experience to ARFC. Raised on a Grade “A” dairy farm in East Tennessee, he managed 200 acres of silage corn and 70-80 Holstein cows. A 24-year U.S. Navy veteran (Seaman to Lieutenant Commander) with global service, Ed also retired after 20 years at CSX Railroad as a Terminal Manager. With a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Milligan University, plus Naval War College training, Ed’s operational expertise ensures ARFC’s farms run efficiently and sustainably.

Charles E. (Ed) Howze

Vice President

Michael Ault

Secretary and Treasurer

Michael Ault, a 19-year Air Force veteran and Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with 5 combat deployments, brings precision and discipline to ARFC. As Operations Manager for Christian Brothers Lining Co., he excels in process improvement, resource management, and compliance. With training from the Non-commissioned Officer Academy and Joint Nuclear EOD Course, Michael’s passion for sustainable farming and heirloom crop preservation ensures ARFC’s financial and operational strategies support long-term self-sufficiency.

Michael Ault

Secretary and Treasurer

Patrick Sweeney

Marketing

Patrick Sweeney offers over 40 years of sales, marketing, and real estate acquisition experience to ARFC. With 15 years in solar education and sales, he’s skilled at promoting sustainable solutions. A family man married for 37 years, Patrick loves woodworking, hiking, fishing, and teaching his grandchildren life lessons. His marketing savvy and passion for education will connect ARFC’s organic products to markets, building strong community ties and driving demand.

Patrick Sweeney

Marketing

Jared Byrd

Site Works

Jared Byrd, 38, leads site work for ARFC with unmatched expertise. As President of Byrd Site Works in West End, North Carolina, and head of Christian Brothers Lining Co., a $10M utility company in San Francisco, Jared has spent his career in construction and land management. Married with 3 children, his skills in clearing ground and managing heavy site work will transform ARFC farms, ensuring they’re ready for regenerative production.