CANDEUR – Mountaire Farms recently hosted its annual West End Top Farmers Banquet to honor family farmers who are animal production superstars.
With over 500 contract growers in 17 North Carolina counties, this event paid tribute to all the hardworking men and women who help Mountaire feed the world.
The company awarded the “Best Producer†awards to farmers who consistently outperform all others. Six are selected from producers who raise chicken for the company’s Lumber Bridge processing plant, and six are selected from producers who raise chicken for the company’s Siler City processing plant.
Top growers for Mountaire in 2021 include:
– Terry & Sally Farm, owned by Terry Locklear, located in Robeson County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since August 2005.
– Clucka Berry Farm, owned by Richard Barry, located in Dillon County, South Carolina, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since September 2019.
– Jerusalem Farm, owned by Colon Roberts, located in Bladen County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since August 2006.
– Foghorn Farm, owned by Kendrick Eason, located in Bladen County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since August 2015.
– Smyrna Farm, owned by Wang Xiong, located in the county of Scotland, who has been a contract grower of Mountaire Farms since October 2007.
– Bethlehem Farm, owned by Colon Roberts, located in Bladen County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since November 2018.
– Valley View Farm, owned by Richard Craig Macon, located in Randolph County, who has been contract grower for Mountaire Farms since March 2012.
– Pat Street Farm, owned by Pat Street, Chatham County, which has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since July 1989.
– Tony Harris Farm, owned by Tony Harris, located in Moore County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since March 2022.
– Hillside Roost Farm, owned by Justin Brooks, located in Chatham County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since July 2013.
– Asbill Farm, owned by Darren Asbill, located in Randolph County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since June 2016.
– Jay Simpson Farm, owned by Jay Simpson, located in Randolph County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since June 1996.
The company also presented an “Environmental Stewardship Award†to a Robeson County grower for promoting sustainable practices and conserving natural resources. This year’s winner was Shu Zhen Zheng of Song Farm, who has been a producer at Mountaire since September 2019. Jackie Lou received the award on behalf of Zheng. Zheng has invested $ 4.5 million in 8,000 solar panels on 4 acres of land, which is expected to cover the farm’s total electrical costs by summer 2022.
“Some growers just got it, and Mr. Zheng is one of those growers,†said Jim Shepard, vice president of live operations for Mountaire Farms. “He proves that renewable energy is a viable option for poultry farmers, and his attention to detail on his farm is exemplary. He works hard to maintain the roads on his property, so his land is not only beautiful, but it’s also safer for our food delivery drivers.
The Mountaire “Ambassador Award†is presented to the contract grower who has done an exceptional job representing the culture of Mountaire Farms within the community. This year’s award went to Russell and Charles Caudill, co-owners of C&R Caudill Farm. The Caudhills have been the producer of Mountaire for 34 years. He is a mentor to many other farmers in the area and works closely with the US military at Fort Bragg.
“There isn’t a better cheerleader for Mountaire in the community, and we’re lucky to have her on our team,†said Mirande. “His years of knowledge and experience are an invaluable resource for other producers in his community.
The company also honors those producers who have made the most improvements and who have shown dedication to becoming a better poultry keeper.
This year’s Most Improved Producers include:
– Bonnie’s Poultry, Lacy Cummings, Robeson County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since September 2005.
– SK Farm, Steve Nguyen, County of Scotland, who has been contract grower for Mountaire Farms since July 2018.
– Triple C Farm, Travis Cox, Randolph County, who has been a contract grower for Mountaire Farms since May 2012.
– Southern Pride, Sheila McInnis, Richmond County, who has been a contract producer since February 2011.
– Cherokee 1, Charles Smith, Hoke County, who has been a contract producer since September 2003.
