Highlands Family Farm

I was born and grew up on a farm in Western North Carolina. We raised mostly Angus cows with some hogs and goats. I also sold eggs to neighbors for allowance money. I went to college and started a professional job, but tried to stay active with my parents who still run our Angus farm. I married the love of my life and we had 2 boys. I wanted my boys to be raised on the hardworking principles my mom and dad raised me on, so we searched and bought our 60 acre farm in Icard, NC where we now live. I have always had cows and hogs, and last year we added sheep and chickens. Turkeys are our newest addition. We have a core set of ideals for our farm. First, while on our farm, animals must be treated humanely; the more you stress them the less they will grow. Second, we never use any growth hormones. We feel the benefits don't out-weigh the side effects. Third, we fertilize with manure to limit the amount of chemicals our animals are exposed to. Fourth, our animals, with the exception of poultry, stay on pasture. The poultry need to stay in a clean, dry, heated environment until they are feathered, then they go out on pasture until ready to process. Fifth, when it is time for the animal to be processed, we want it done humanely. Our animals are processed in facilities inspected by the United States department of Agriculture ensuring animals are humanely dispatched and the meat is safe to eat.