On the outskirts of Carthage, Byrd Family Farm sits on 42 acres, where cattle and hogs roam, crops grow in the fields, and work to build a more sustainable local food system is underway.
For Farm Co-op N.C. President Tom Byrd and Secretary Richie McDonald, the farm is a working example of what they hope to accomplish throughout the Sandhills: a cooperative model that helps small farmers overcome the financial and practical challenges of agriculture while giving consumers more access to locally raised food.
“Cooperate, don’t compete,” said Byrd, who was smiling as he walked the farm. “Back in the day, Earl Butz with the USDA had this saying about farming: ‘Get big or get out.’ We don’t believe that.”
Currently, the organization is working to establish an indoor market along N.C. 211 in West End.
If approved, the market could be ready by early spring 2027. Plans include space for local farmers to sell their products, a bakery, and areas for community meetings.
Byrd says the goal of this project is to bring local agricultural providers together under one roof and give them access to a shared marketplace and resources while also encouraging more people to raise livestock and grow food.
Building a Farm from the Ground Up
Byrd Family Farm covers 42 acres, with approximately 20 acres dedicated to growing crops. The farm also raises Black Angus cattle and about 30 Chester White hogs.
The operation follows organic growing and feeding practices, according to Byrd and McDonald.
Byrd grew up farming in Indiana, where he learned traditional agricultural practices from his family. After spending much of his career in business, he eventually returned to his agricultural roots.
He and his wife discovered the property by chance while looking for a place in the country.
“We wanted to get away from the craziness of the city and come back to our roots,” explained Byrd. “We were driving and saw this handmade sign that said ‘farm for sale,’ and here we are.”
McDonald, meanwhile, came to farming from a very different background.
The two met through their church, where conversations eventually led to McDonald becoming involved in the operation. With a background and passion for business and culinary work, he never expected to find himself working with livestock.
“Forty years ago, I was in business school and never thought I’d be on a farm playing with cows and pigs,” McDonald laughed.
The work, he said, is not as simple as it might appear. The cattle consume approximately 40 pounds of feed per day, requiring regular feeding and hands-on care—not that he minds.
McDonald (left) and Byrd (right) pose with their compost and trusty farm dog, Gypsy.
Soil Health and Animal Care
One of the more distinctive features of Byrd Family Farm is its use of ground pine bark in the cattle and hog pens.
The material serves several purposes. Byrd said the pine bark helps absorb nitrogen and animal waste, reduces odors, and creates a more comfortable environment for the livestock. Its natural properties also help discourage certain pests and parasites.
The farm periodically removes the used material and composts it with other organic matter before spreading it across the fields.
Byrd sees the process as an important part of the farm’s regenerative approach.
“It’s the regeneration part, the circle. It all goes back into the earth,” he said.
Byrd said the animals are raised with an emphasis on natural care, without routine chemical spraying or certain treatments—the same way his family did it when he was growing up.
The cattle are fed an all-organic diet, which Byrd and McDonald said produces beef with a different flavor and marbling profile than grass-fed beef. They also challenged the assumption that grass-fed beef is inherently the only healthy or natural option, explaining that their corn-based feeding program provides consistent nutrition while allowing them to monitor the animals’ diets.
For McDonald, knowing where food comes from is central to the entire operation.
“There’s a lot of interest in food transparency,” he said, explaining that the farm wants customers to understand how their meat is raised and what goes into the animals’ diets.
Helping Farmers Grow
While Byrd Family Farm is growing its own operation, the larger goal of Farm Co-op N.C. is to help other people do the same.
Byrd said getting started in agriculture can be expensive, particularly for people who lack access to equipment. The cooperative hopes to help prospective farmers evaluate their property, determine what crops or livestock might be appropriate, and identify the resources needed to get started.
Not every small farmer can afford the machinery needed to harvest and store crops, Byrd said, but working together could make those expenses more manageable.
Farm Co-op N.C. also hopes to connect with veterans and others interested in pursuing farming for the first time.
Although Byrd continues to operate his primary business in California, he considers the farm and cooperative a passion project. His wife serves as the organization’s treasurer, and his son is vice president.
He acknowledged that farming requires considerable labor and investment, but believes the benefits extend beyond the financial returns. Ultimately, he hopes the cooperative can become a resource for people throughout the area who want to reclaim farmland, improve soil health, raise livestock, or establish small agricultural businesses.
Interested in learning more? Byrd encourages those interested to reach out via Facebook or to call (910) 621-7152.
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Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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