People want to know where their food comes from. And we think they should be able to find out. That’s why we’re happy to introduce you to some of our family farmers. They take pride in raising chickens to share with you and your family.
The owner of 21 Oaks Farm returned to farming after working in a factory in Chicago. He moved back to his hometown in Kentucky and established a poultry operation, following in the footsteps of his uncle, a poultry farmer in Delaware. On his 60 acres of land, this hardworking farmer grows hay and is proud to partner with Perdue, a company that he says represents quality, from the people and product to the delivery.
In Gates County, North Carolina, Dennis and Karen operate two houses with 49,400 birds. A friendly way to help the community of farmers, they lease their crop land to a local farmer. They've been in the business for 27 years and are considered trailblazers in their family, as they are the first generation to farm. The couple fondly remembers when Frank Perdue visited their farm. They take pride in how well they raise their chickens in each flock and try their best to give Perdue the highest-quality products they can.
AB Acres, LLC is a farm in York County, Pennsylvania, with two poultry houses. The brothers who own the farm have done it all their lives, learning valuable lessons from their dad and 'pap' every step of the way. To them, farming is a family tradition and a way of living that they love and value.
In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Ammon operates two poultry houses. He is a first-generation farmer who has dedicated 43 years to the profession. Perdue has been part of nearly every step of his journey, from his start with Pennfield in 1992 to B.C. Natural and then Coleman Natural Foods. Ammon built chicken houses when he was young, dreaming of someday building his own. His goal is to raise the best-tasting chicken on the market, and that starts with keeping his birds happy and in the best health.
Edward and Debbie live in Northampton County, North Carolina, where they operate three houses. They owned chicken houses for 13 years and rented houses for 17 years. In total, they've raised chickens for 30 years and were the first in their family to do so. Edward and Debbie take pride in the attentiveness they give to their chickens and check on them at least three to five times a day to make sure they're thriving.
JC and Becky live in Bertie County, North Carolina, and operate three chicken houses. Before they began raising their own chickens in 2007, they helped other farmers with their animals. JC and Becky treasure the simple things on the farm, such as watching the birds come and go. Seeing their granddaughter play with the little chicks also warms their hearts.
Phillip values hard work, dedication and sacrifice ' the three 'ingredients' of farming. He's done it since 1999, continuing his family's legacy into its third generation. Phillip likes working with the people of Perdue, whom he describes as 'down-to-earth.' He added the poultry operation to diversify his farm, a decision that reaped many benefits. For instance, he uses the litter from the poultry houses as fertilizer for the crops that he grows. Phillip lives in Pitt County, North Carolina, and operates eight houses.
John and Linda live in Kent County, Delaware, on their solar-powered farm. John is an Army veteran with 41 years of service. He earned the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq from 2006 to 2007. Farming has been part of their family for 65 years, and they were one of the first Perdue growers on Delmarva to be selected as a participant in the organic program. In 1988, the stars seemed to align when Linda went into labor with their third child on the same day they placed their first flock of chickens.
A relative newcomer, the owner of E and M Poultry in Bertie County, North Carolina, has been farming for three years. He got his start by helping a friend on weekends ' that part-time gig turned into a full-fledged career. William often takes his two little boys with him to the houses and enjoys watching them engage with the chickens. There's a lot of liveliness and personality on his farm.