Stakeholder Stories Archives - Vital Farms https://vitalfarms.com/category/stakeholder-stories/ Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:55:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://vitalfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cropped-vf-logo@3x-32x32.png Stakeholder Stories Archives - Vital Farms https://vitalfarms.com/category/stakeholder-stories/ 32 32 49178711 Meet Our Farmers: Carol and Troy https://vitalfarms.com/nairn-family-farms/ Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11620 Hen & garden gurus at Nairn Family Farms

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Nairn Family Farms is tucked within a shady, heavily wooded plot of land in Southern Missouri. Husband and wife, Troy and Carol, dreamt of a simple farm life for them and their three boys. And in 2021, they found exactly what they were looking for.

Before Nairn, Troy was a truck driver, often spending long periods of time away from home.

“I was tired of being gone. I love working from home – not having anywhere to go or anyone looking over my shoulder wondering what I’m doing….well…except for them!” Troy smirks as he gestures to the gaggle of girls singing happy songs of clucks and coos at his feet.

Meanwhile, Carol works daytime hours as a nurse at the local health clinic. Each evening, she swaps into her farm boots to round out the day of chores.

“Each night, I walk the barn, run the conveyor to collect any last eggs from the day, and round up the girls.”

Nairn is a family operation. Their three sons – ages 9, 11, and 14 – help out during the mornings, nights, and weekends.

“It’s nice to have our boys grow up here, where they learn a good work ethic and can just be boys,” Carol reflects. “Before this, we lived in town, and they didn’t have much to do. Now, all they have to do is go outside, and they find things to do. This keeps us all busy, and that’s what I really like about it.”

In addition to raising hens, Troy and Carol are gardening gurus, planting everything from corn and beans to a rainbow of fresh fruits and veggies. According to Carol, the garden gets a little bigger with every passing year.

“We usually plant everything—tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumber, melon, radishes, turnips—whatever we’ve got room for!”

With such a plentiful harvest and egg supply, it only makes sense that the Nairn household spends a lot of time in the kitchen. Years ago, Troy’s great-grandmother taught him the art of canning. Today, the couple loves to pickle and can their produce.

“And the eggs…we make hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, fried eggs….” Carol pauses and giggles, “We sound like Bubba from Forest Gump when he’s talking about all the shrimp!”

Aside from enjoying an endless quantity of farm-fresh eggs for breakfast, Carol does a lot of baking. “Eggs come in handy for that! I love finding new recipes and trying something different.”

Lucky for us, we can try something new too. Carol shared one of her favorite recipes for Zucchini Cake, and it’s delightful. Click here to try it for yourself!

Want a 360° view of Troy and Carol’s Farm? See it here!

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Meet True Blues Family Farmer, Murray https://vitalfarms.com/cgfarms/ Fri, 19 Jul 2024 17:05:37 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11670 Meet Murray, one of Vital Farms' first farmers!

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Murray, Alec, and Aztec at CG Farms

Meet Murray, one of Vital Farms’ first farmers! Murray began farming with us in 2015 with a flock of brown hens at CG Farms. Now, 9 years later, CG has has evolved as a home for Azur hens, the white-feathered ladies who lay our pretty pastel True Blue Eggs.

I was always a chicken guy. I poured over chicken magazines…I love watching them and seeing them enjoy life.

We had the honor of visiting Murray on his family farm, where his girls roam pastures that stretch as far as the eyes can see. We spoke with Murray about his lifelong passion for raising hens, met his family, and confessed how many eggs we eat on the daily.

“When I was a kid, my dad had a few cows. I tried milking once, but I was always a chicken guy. I poured over chicken magazines. My parents let me order and hatch chicks. I love watching them and seeing them enjoy life,” Murray shared.

Before Murray became a full-time farmer, he worked in construction for 30 years, building everything from residential and commercial buildings to mobile chicken coops. Murray even built his own barns, complete with energy-efficient solar panels.

Today, CG Farms is more than just an egg farm. It’s a place for his growing family to gather. His young nieces, nephews, and grandson, Alec, will often arrive after school to help Murray gather eggs.

Murray and his nephew, Danny, gathering eggs

“Alec loves to walk to barn and go with me to pick up eggs. And Felix—he likes to set them up in a row. He always did that with books and his bottles. Now he does it with eggs!”

And the family wouldn’t be complete without Aztec, Murray’s furry, four-legged sidekick.

“Aztec goes everywhere with us. Wherever we go, she goes. She loves to be in the pastures and will run around with me before dark when I gather the hens back to the barn for the night.”

Just as we were wrapping up, Murray’s wife, Darlene, rolled up on a 4×4 with a friendly smile and a large pitcher of the most refreshing sweet tea we’ve ever tasted. Here, the whole family gathered around, sharing conversations in the pasture while sipping cold glasses of iced tea. Around us, dozens of white feathered, floppy-combed hens bob their heads forward and back—these girls are responsible for the gorgeous, light blue eggs that bring this family together each day. Moments like this make us stop to appreciate our family farmers’ hard work, commitment, and authenticity, including Murray and the family surrounding him.

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Changing the Game on Every Field https://vitalfarms.com/changing-the-game-on-every-field/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=12122 A conversation with our farmer, Lachelle, and Former Pro Soccer Player, Carli Lloyd

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Farmers and athletes are more alike than you may realize. They rise early to greet the day, break barriers, and push the limits to grow and excel in their crafts.

We spoke with Lachelle, one of over 300 family farmers in our network, and Former Pro Soccer Player Carli Lloyd (who tends to a backyard flock of her own!) about how they’re raising the standards to change the way the game is played.   

Lachelle: The agriculture industry. The female farmer is growing rapidly. A lot of men are working off the farm, and the ladies are at home taking care of everything, managing it on their own. I feel like the Ag. Industry is being taken by a storm by women right now; there are a lot of us.

Carli: The soccer field. We’re seeing this whole expansion of women’s sports right now—the WNBA, Women’s Soccer and Women’s Tennis…it’s here. It’s happening. And it’s because of the support, investment, broadcasting, and sponsors. All of that has to continue.

Lachelle: We got our first flock in August of 2021. Before we built the farm, we had 20-30 backyard chickens that we raised for personal eggs, so we always had them around.

Carli: We started in April of ‘23 with 9 Rhode Island Reds! It’s been incredible. Not only do you get eggs, but there’s a therapeutic piece to it as well. It’s peaceful to watch them; they’re fascinating animals.

Lachelle: Our dedication. Our lives revolve around what we do. It doesn’t matter if it’s on or off-season—we must work to stay on top of our game.  

Carli: It never stops. It’s around the clock. It’s a constant thought of mind knowing you have the responsibility to train, sleep, eat well, be present and do the best job you can do.  

Lachelle: It’s a ton of work and it never shuts off. At the end of the day, it’s our job to make sure we’re providing food in the way we’ve promised.  

Carli: You have to take accountability yourself. You have to work when no one is watching and when no one is pushing you.

Lachelle: I show up at the table, stay active in agriculture organizations, and don’t shy away from opportunities to put myself in a situation where I show the men in our industry that I’m here, I’m a woman, and I’m competing at the same level.  

Carli: Constantly trying to push yourself, put yourself in an uncomfortable position and get out of your comfort zone. That’s where you learn, grow and become better.  

Lachelle: Make sure you’re prepared for your life to revolve around what you do. There can’t be any second guessing or hesitation. If you’re a farmer you have to do it passionately, so make sure your heart is in it.

Carli: You’ve got to want it and you’ve got to believe in yourself. There are going to be people and coaches along the way who are going to help you create the environment for you, but ultimately you’ve got to be the one who believes in yourself and puts in the work.

Lachelle: Over easy with homemade sourdough!

Carli: I do a mix—usually over easy, scrambled, or an omelette.

See how we’re changing the way the game is played on our field.

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Our Girls’ Nightly Routine https://vitalfarms.com/nightly-routine/ Thu, 13 Jun 2024 16:32:31 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11716 "Okay girls, time for bed!"

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Have you ever wondered where our girls sleep at night? In the comfort of their barn, of course!

Our farmers round up their girls each evening to tuck them in for a good night’s sleep. As they walk the perimeter of the pastures, they’ll often call out, “Okay, girls, time for bed!”

Our girls are taught from a young age to come indoors before sunset to ensure they stay safe from pesky night predators. And they know the routine—their internal clock brings them back to the barn doors before our farmers even start their rounds.

“These ladies think they need to go in the same door that they come out in the morning. They’re smart! I think they’ve got a compass in their brain,” our farmer Allen shares.

After a long day of roaming in the fresh air and sunshine, our girls need a good night’s sleep to rest and recharge for the day ahead. When morning comes, they’ll lay their eggs and return to the pasture for another beautiful day outdoors.

Watch our farmer, Allen, tuck his girls in after a long day of summertime foraging!

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Supporting Farmers & Building Friendships https://vitalfarms.com/supporting-farmers-building-friendships/ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:05:10 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11553 Meet Cindy, our Farm Support Crewmember

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Cindy (left) with farmers Judith and Tony of King Farms

At Vital Farms, we work with over 300 family farmers who are committed to raising their girls with care and respect. Some have been farming their whole lives, while others are just getting started. But no matter where they are on their journey, each of our farmers is championed by our trusty Farm Support Crew.

Speaking of our Farm Support Crew…meet Cindy, our Farm Support Specialist!

Cindy works behind the scenes to cultivate relationships with our farmers, set them up for success, and help them raise their girls.

“I’ll drop anything for my farmers. They can call me at 6am or 11pm, and I’ll always answer. At the end of the day they’ve got the health of all those hens to look after, and It’s my job to help them out.”

“My job is to make sure my farmers are well supported. When I’m visiting my farms, I ensure the hens are doing the best they can with the systems we put in place.”

Cindy connects with her farmers with an open heart and mind. She puts in extra time to get to know them, thus transforming business relationships into friendships.

“I care deeply for the people I interact with,” Cindy shares, “I’ll drop anything for my farmers. They can call me at 6am or 11pm, and I’ll always answer. At the end of the day they’ve got the health of all those hens to look after, and It’s my job to help them out.”

As Cindy’s time with her farmers increases, so do her stories. It’s not uncommon for her to end a visit with friendly conversations shared around the table over sweet tea and freshly baked cookies. Her presence ignites a spark of gratitude, spreading effortlessly from farmer to family.

“One of my farms has two little girls. One of them was collecting eggs while I was doing my paperwork, and she asked, ‘How do you do that?’ It was fun to go through the math with her and teach her about my work. She was excited to learn. She said, ‘Oh, thank you so much for showing me; I’ve always wondered how my dad did that!

“I enjoy connecting with my farmer’s children because I know at some point they’ll take over the farm. If they can make a connection with me and I can help them grow into that goal, then that’s huge.”

“We wouldn’t want to do it without you”

Cindy’s favorite part of working with farmers is their constant willingness and desire to do better than she asks of them. Cindy describes her farmer relationships as symbiotic, motivated by shared ambitions.

“I had a farmer who finished an audit with a perfect score on her compliance report. When I texted her to share the news, she was so thankful. It made my heart so happy when she said, ‘Thank you for getting me set up from the start and answering all my questions. We wouldn’t want to do it without you.'”

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The Admirable Father-Son Partnership of Randy & Tanner https://vitalfarms.com/pace-valley-view/ Mon, 13 May 2024 16:30:55 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11632 A convseration with our Farmers at Pace Valley View Farm

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One look at Randy and his son, Tanner, will tell you that these two form an excellent team.

Their red T-shirts, khaki shorts, and leather boots are what they call “the uniform,” a.k.a. comfy clothing (accidentally matched more often than not) well-suited for a day of farm chores.

We spent a morning getting to know Randy and Tanner on their farm, Pace Valley View, among a breathtaking view of rolling hills, while discussing the food system, Randy’s work in farmer advocacy, and how Tanner was named after the spunky Tanner Boyle from Bad News Bears.

Reflecting on the experience, we can’t help but admire Randy and Tanner’s mutually supportive relationship, a knack for finishing one another’s sentences, and a shared love for farm life.

Here’s a peek into our conversation…

Randy: I grew up on this farm and helped my dad raise cows bail hay. After college, in 1977, I took a job as a Farmer Loan Officer. I helped farmers get loans for 40 years and retired at the age of 62. Then, I got my own loan and we built a chicken house.

Tanner: Dad told me that if I wanted to be involved on the farm, I had to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree. So I got a bachelor of business from Missouri State, and ever since then, I’ve been farming.

Randy: Tanner read, watched YouTube, and did a lot of research. He told me, “We should do this. This can work.”

Randy: We own the farm 50-50. Tanner will take on more ownership over time. He’s the future of this farm.

Randy: (Laughing) I for sure do less. I sit on 6 boards locally and nationally. It’s how I stay social. In fact, I have an opportunity to go to DC to lobby and visit congressmen to talk about farm-related items and advocate for future farmers. The only drawback is you have to wear a suit and tie!

Tanner: I don’t even own a suit and tie!…I’m more of a hands-on kinda guy.

Randy: And I take care of the records and finances.

Tanner: (Without skipping a beat) That I can work with my dad. And now I get to raise my two sons here. They’re very involved on the farm. My 5-year old was up here all summer helping out.

Randy: Farming is a good way of life. My parents had a farm, my grandparents had a farm, and my great-grandparents had a farm. The fact that I can work with my son is special. Children staying on the farm isn’t common in this area. I’ve got my son and now my grandsons here all the time, and I feel lucky to have found a career that allowed for this lifestyle.

Want a 360° view of Randy and Tanner’s farm? See it here!

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Meet Dairy Farmers: Peter and Enda https://vitalfarms.com/dairy-farmers-peter-and-enda/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:46:10 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11376 Learn about Peter and Enda, father and son dairy farmers raising their cows on lush, green pastures in the countryside of Ireland

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4th generation dairy farmers, Peter (left) and Enda (right).

Father and son, Peter and Enda, are 4th generation dairy farmers in the countryside of Ireland, where rolling hills of lush, green farmland stretch as far as the eye can see.  

Their farm began on 20-30 acres in the 1840s by Peter’s great-great-grandfather. Today, Peter and Enda care for over four times that acreage, amounting to all the grazing space a cow could dream of.

“You get the best milk from cows when they’re stress free and happy. They have everything they want here, and they’re comfortable as they can be.”

Peter and Enda are a two-man team with a strong relationship and working dyamic. “It’s more or less just ourselves. If dad’s away, then I look after things, and if I’m away, he’ll look after it.”

Enda joined his father on the farm full-time in 2018. Before that, he helped Peter on nights and weekends while attending college in Dublin, studying animal science and agriculture. Later, he worked on various farms as an advisor for best practices on grass management, breeding, and finances. Put simply, he’s pleased to be home.

“It’s important to continue the family farm – it’s been around forever. It’s also lovely being out in the countryside and having this freedom. Plus, I like talking to cows more than I like talking to people,” Enda laughs.

Each morning, Peter and Enda start their chores at 7 am. The early hours of the day are spent milking. Then, two short hours later, at 9 am, it’s time to let the girls out. Peter and Enda slide the blue-painted barn’s door open and guide their herd to the pasture. The cows don’t hesitate one bit – running straight to the fields, excited for a day of munching nutrient-rich grass!

“It’s much healthier for the cow to be out in the field. Grass is the best feed for them to produce the highest quality of milk.”

Peter and Enda practice pasture rotation to keep the grass rich and lush for their girls. Once a pasture has been grazed, they top the clean, freshly grazed ground with a slurry of manure. This process helps them get the most of their resources, while optimizing the nutrients within the next growth cycle of grass.

“The slurry is one of the most valuable resources on the farm and it’s important that we get the most use out of it,” Peter notes.

Speaking of natural resources and efficiency, Peter and Enda will happily geek out over genotyping, a program that ensures they breed cows that sustainably produce plenty of milk for years to come. “What we’re looking at is reducing the carbon footprint,” Enda looks up at his father and continues, “There’s nothing dad loves more than an animal that is going to produce a lot of milk, while also being impactful upon the environment.”

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Meet The Family Farmers at Ridgecrest Poultry Farm https://vitalfarms.com/ridgecrest-poultry-family-farm/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://vitalfarms.com/?p=11014 Meet Dan and Dane, the father-son farming duo at Ridgecrest Poultry

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Dane (left) and his father, Dan (right)

Ridgecrest Poultry is a small family farm based in southwest Missouri. Tucked between rolling green hills and miles of oak trees is a barn decorated with hand-planted zinnias and rosebushes, where hens are found wandering to and from the pasture at their leisure.

Next to the barn is a space for family gatherings, the Egg Room, as our farmers call it. Inside, the family is hard at work. A father and son, Dan and Dane, are sitting by their desk, discussing the day’s work, while Dan’s in-laws, Dennis and Donna, hover above the conveyor belt, collecting and filling stacks of grey trays with a typical morning’s supply of eggs.

“My great-grandparents came to Illinois from Germany and bought their farm in 1892. We still own that property – my mother inherited it from several generations of family farmers. And my dad was born and raised on farms in Missouri. So both sides of my family have come from an agricultural background,” Dane explains.

While the family has been in agriculture for quite some time, this is Dan and Dane’s first egg operation. They finished building their barn at the start of 2023 and have been farming with Vital Farms since they received their first flock. Before Ridgecrest Poultry, the family primarily ran a swine farm.

…This is something just about anybody can do. It’s very family-friendly; even children can help out.

Dan compared how egg and swine farming differ, “With swine, you have a 300-400lb. animal and you need muscle to take care of them. With the hens here, my wife can help out, and Dennis – he’s 73, he helps out three times a week. So this is something just about anybody can do. It’s very family-friendly; even children can help out.”

When Dane was young, he and his grandmother converted an old building into a chicken house. When he came to work with his father at Ridgecrest Poultry, that same coup remained a home to 20 backyard hens, each with freedom to roam his land.

“I’ve always loved animals. When I was younger and too little to help out on the farm, it was my grandma and I’s thing to take care of the chickens. They were a similar breed to these – we used to call them Cinnamon Queens. We also had free-range hogs and I would go out and catch the little babies shortly after they were born, sneak ’em inside and sit by my mom on the couch with the little baby pig,” Dane reminisced.

A love for animals runs in the family. You can often find Dennis sitting on a log in the pasture holding a hen in his arms, giving her pets while talking with the girls gathered below. In fact, Dennis spends so much time with the flock that they’ve adopted the habit of following him around the barn.

“They’re more like his pets than they are farm animals…Our farm support are always amazed by how gentle and tame the hens are, so we attribute all the time Dennis spends with them to how good they are.”

“I call them chickies,” Dennis flashes a wide grin, “I go out there, sit down and say ‘chickie chickie!’ and before I know it they’re all gathered around.

Dennis and his “Chickie” at Ridgecrest Poultry

“They’re more like his pets than they are farm animals,” Dan adds,” He spends a lot of time with them, and wants what’s best for them. Our farm support are always amazed by how gentle and tame the hens are, so we attribute all the time Dennis spends with them to how good they are.”

The Ridgecrest Poultry family are often hard at work maintaining their farm. They rotate their girls across pastures to care for the soil, make sure the girls have enough water and sufficient nutrition, and handle finance and operational paperwork.

Right now, Dane takes care of all the paperwork and machinery, while Dan performs the hands-on chores in the pasture. Eventually, Dane, a fifth generation farmer, will take over Ridgecrest Poultry and carry the family farming tradition forward.

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The Egg Room https://vitalfarms.com/the-egg-room/ Fri, 03 Nov 2023 21:42:09 +0000 https://vfdev.zocalodesign.com/the-egg-room/ How our farmers collect their eggs

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Do you ever wonder how our farmers collect their eggs, ultimately landing in your cartons?

Each of our farmers has an egg collecting room that we like to call, The Egg Room. You can think of the Egg Room like a farmer’s little egg factory, complete with machines, controls, pallets, and a whole lot of eggs.

Every morning, after the girls lay their eggs, our farmers migrate to their Egg Room to collect their eggs. One at a time, eggs roll along a conveyor belt, from barn to egg room, ready to be inspected and stacked into trays. Oftentimes, this egg-collecting routine becomes a family chore. Parents, children, and grandchildren come together in the egg room to not only gather eggs, but to create long-lasting family memories.

And while some of our farmers invest in automated systems, many carefully pack each and every egg by hand before making their way to Egg Central Station, where our crew washes and packs them in the same cartons you know and love.

Our Farmer, Murray, and his Nephew gathering True Blues at CG Farms

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Why is Farming Vital? https://vitalfarms.com/why-is-farming-vital/ Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:28:20 +0000 https://vfdev.zocalodesign.com/why-is-farming-vital/ Happy Farmer's Day to our Vital Farmers

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Today is National Farmer’s Day, and we’re taking this opportunity to recognize our farmers’ hard work and dedication to bringing ethical food to the table.

You, too, can express your gratitude by writing a thank you letter to one of our Vital Farmers! Simply fill out the form below with your message by Thursday, October 19th, and we’ll have them printed and mailed for each of our farmers to read.

This form is now closed. To write a message to a Vital Farmer, please visit https://bit.ly/messageafarmer

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Meet Our Farmers, John & Lachelle https://vitalfarms.com/show-me-eggs/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:25:38 +0000 https://vfdev.zocalodesign.com/show-me-eggs/ The Husband & Wife Duo Behind Show-Me Eggs

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On a plot of land in the Show-Me State of Missouri lies Show-Me Eggs – a farm run by the husband and wife duo, John and Lachelle.

We roll up the long, sun-kissed rocky driveway in our white Vital Farms Subaru. The doors swing open to 55 acres of pasture land, where the sound of hens chatting in the distance is a constant audible backdrop among the green, wooded landscape.

John and Lachelle have been raising hens with Vital Farms for two years. However, they’re no strangers to farm life. This busy couple owns multiple farming businesses, totaling to eleven different LLCs. Before the Vital Farms barn, cows have always been their specialty.

“We started this to build extra farm income. Diversification is everything in farming because not one thing pays the bills anymore. Cows alone aren’t going to cut it. My father runs a logging company, and I also help him with that. But as my kids get older, it’s going to take more than just one income to survive – chickens seemed like a good idea. We’ve enjoyed it a lot since we started,” John shares, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a kind, comfortable smile.

“I like raising chickens because it’s pretty simple. They wake up, lay their eggs, go outside, mosey around, and come back every day. With cows, I have to make sure they’re moved, fed, etc. I do like my cows, and I’ll never not have cows. But chickens are a nice change of pace.”

“We really care about our birds. In fact, our birds are treated better than most people.”

John was raised by a family of farmers. His father had hogs and cattle, and his grandfather was a dairyman. “My family has been here since 1840 on land about a mile from here. I remember milking cows as a kid…” John reminisced. “I was an only child, and my father was an only child, so our farms stayed in the family, and nothing was broken up.”

Lachelle’s childhood looked a little different. “My parents had some property with a few cows and the occasional calf. I grew up in Missouri and went to school with John. We were high school sweethearts. We got married when we were 20 years old. I went to school for teaching and have my master’s degree in special education. I taught for five years. When I quit teaching, I stayed home for a while and started helping more with farm life and doing the bookkeeping. He was raised on farms,” Lachelle nods to John, “and then I fell in love with it.”

“In today’s world, people don’t know where their food comes from anymore. There’s a lot that goes into producing food. It doesn’t just happen.”

“This is a family-owned business; we do this as a family. We have three kids. It’s not uncommon for them to be hanging out and playing in a brush pile with the chickens,” Lachelle laughs as John adds, “Sometimes you won’t even see our son, J.R.; he’ll just be out here playing in the wilderness!”

Lachelle continues, “I didn’t know I liked chickens until I got chickens. They’re special birds and hilarious animals with some of the funnest behaviors. I named some – John makes fun of me – but there are certain ones in the same spot every day, so they get named! Let’s see…there’s Jolene…oh, and Karen – she lays her egg in the cool cell (the barn’s air conditioning unit) every day,” she chuckles at the absurdity of collecting Karen’s cool cell eggs and then lets it go as she shrugs, “They’re funny!

“We really care about our birds. In fact, our birds are treated better than most people. They get to eat whatever they want, have full access to water, and can go outside whenever they choose. Our birds have a really good life. They probably have it better than most backyard chickens. I don’t think backyard farmers put cooling units in their chicken coops, but we provide that for them so they can live comfortably.”

“You can see the difference between our eggs vs. other eggs,” John adds, “I take some to my grandmother, and she’s amazed by how the yolks are brighter, deeper in color, and rich. Just truly amazed by how much better they are.”

“Plus, you can buy these eggs at the grocery store, so you don’t have the stress about hitting up a farmer’s market every Saturday,” notes Lachelle. “That said, in today’s world, people don’t know where their food comes from anymore. There’s a lot that goes into producing food. It doesn’t just happen.”

John and Lachelle have been in the farming business for some time now, but they keep their minds open, viewing every day as a learning experience.

“To those interested in farming, get in a barn and gain experience. Learn what you’re getting into – you can never ask enough questions. It’s a huge commitment, so just make sure you’re ready,” Lachelle advises – straight from the heart of a farmer.

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Meet Our Farmer, Case https://vitalfarms.com/jones-valley/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 03:26:05 +0000 https://vitalfarms.local/?p=7177 A farmer and his family's love for animals

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Case and his wife, Caitlin, stand side-by-side in the egg room at Jones Valley Farm. Their young daughter is propped up on a stool beside them, happily assisting with egg gathering. Their son, fitted in little rubber rain boots, plays quietly in the distance. This is what a typical morning looks like for the Jones family.

Case and Caitlin purchased their farm in May of 2022. Before becoming farmers, they were living on only one acre of land. Now, the family oversees 130 acres – 60 of which are pasture.

Case was raised in a small farming community in Missouri. At the age of 13, he volunteered his time to help local farmers raise livestock.

“My favorite thing about farming is being around the animals. I wanted to learn more, so I took classes in cow handling. I love seeing how cows and chickens act on the farm. I find them so interesting and fun to work with.”

Meanwhile, Caitlin grew up on a 60-acre farm with horses, dogs, goats, and cats. When presented with the opportunity to have a farm of their own, there was no question about it. This is the life Caitlin wanted for her family.

“The farm is something I can pass down to my kids one day. If it’s something they want to do, great! If it’s not something they want to do, then we can sell it. But it’s nice to have the option to give this to them.” Caitlin continues, “Our kids love helping out with egg gathering. They like to find eggs with shells that didn’t form all the way. They’re soft on the outside. We call them Squishies!”

“One day, I was sitting here doing this and thinking, Wow, I’m helping feed America right now.”

The gathering continues. Caitlin and her daughter guide a steady stream of brown-shelled eggs across the conveyer belt as Case organizes them into trays.

“One day, I was sitting here doing this and thinking, Wow, I’m helping feed America right now,” Caitlin shared with pride and passion. “A lot of people think farmers are cruel to animals. But why would I treat something that helps provide for me cruelly? We treat our animals right here and really care for them the best we can.”

Their daughter interrupts, lifting her arm in the air. Her small hand gently wrapped around an egg resembling a tan, wrinkled blanket. “Squishy!!!” she giggles. The egg room fills with joy and laughter.

“I love to see my chickens outside and happy. We treat them right here.”

As the family wraps up their egg gathering for the day, Caitlin ushers her kids inside while Case continues to the pasture. There, lush green grass sits below a tightly knit forest of trees. Hens gather beneath the leaves, while others splash through mud puddles, still present from recent rains.

“When I was first taking over this farm, the hens didn’t want to be around me. And I wasn’t sure why. But then I saw a hat on the previous farmer’s wall, and it clicked for me. I said to him, ‘You wore a hat when you walked around the birds, didn’t you?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I did.’ So I started wearing a hat too, and then they were fine as can be. Over time, the hens really get to know you and recognize you. And when something is different, they get a little jumpy. But as soon as they’re around someone familiar, they’re calm again.”

Hens cluck and coo as they waltz past Case. He watches them with a soft smile.

“I like to reference movies when I tell people about my farm. Many think of Napoleon Dynamite and the scene where he puts the chickens back into a smaller cage. And they think that’s what my farm is like. But that’s not it at all. These birds can go wherever they want. They can go inside, or they can go outside – all the way down 1200 feet away from the barn. They aren’t limited to those four walls. I like to show people that hens can be raised without cages. I love to see my chickens outside and happy. We treat them right here.”

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