Mountaire Farms, the nation’s fourth largest poultry producer, recently held its annual Top Grower Banquet in Pinehurst to honor those family farmers who are the superstars of animal production.
With more than 500 contract growers spread across 17 counties in North Carolina and two counties in South Carolina, this event was held to honor all the hardworking men and women helping Mountaire feed the world.
The company presented the “Top Grower” award to farmers who consistently outperform everyone. Six are selected from the growers who raise chicken for the company’s Lumber Bridge processing plant, and six are selected from the growers who raise chicken for the company’s Siler City processing plant.
Top Growers for Mountaire in 2023 include:
Terry Locklear, Terry & Sally Farm, Robeson County
Lola Rouse, Princess Ann Farm, Robeson County
Josh Macon, Sunrise Farms, Randolph County
Justin Latham, Latham Poultry, Randolph County
Jay Simpson, Jay Simpson Farm, Randolph County
Bradley Morrison, Speck of Dirt Farm, Moore County
Randy Rankin, Hayden’s Farm, Marlboro County, SC
Wendell Locklear, Shanda Kay Farm and Wendell & Connie Farm, Robeson County
Michael Harris, Julie Harris Farm, Moore County
Kou Yang, Mirkwood Farm, Montgomery County
Jace Ward, Jace & Megan Farm, Robeson County
The Most Improved Growers include:
David Melvin, Israel Farm, Bladen County
Jonathan Scott, Cambyl Farm, Robeson County
John Chisholm, Jeanette Chisholm Farm, Moore County
Brian Crissman, Crissman Farm, Lee County
Mountaire’s Environmental Stewardship Award winners were also recognized for their accomplishments this past year:
1st quarter — Tony Purvis, Walker Hill Farm, Moore County
2nd quarter — Jeff Lucas, Lucas Farm, Montgomery County
3rd quarter — Dustin Morrison, DM Morrison Farm, Moore County
4th quarter — Roxana Shepard, Abner Mountain Farm, Montgomery County
The company also honored its retiring growers:
Ricky McBride, Ricky McBridge Farm, Montgomery County, 23 years
David Sullivan, David Sullivan Farm, Richmond County, 26 years
Stoney Creek, Moore County, NC, Grower: Kim Garner, 27 years
“A common sentiment among all our retiring growers is how much they always appreciated the treatment they received from Mountaire throughout the years,” Mountaire Farms said. “It’s always based on fairness and respect, and that is why they stayed with us all those years. Our history shows we have had so many more growers migrating from other integrators to us than those we have lost. There are plenty of companies to grow for in North Carolina, and this record speaks for itself.”
Feature photo: Speck of Dirt Farm is one of two farms recognized as a top grower.
Contributed/Courtesy photo.
