Hugh and his son, Gerald, co-manage their family’s farm. As third and fourth generation farmers, respectively, this father-son team has built a thriving pasture-raised pork operation while also maintaining a multitude of off-farm careers and interests.
Hugh recently retired as a vocational educator, robotics engineer, basketball coach, and volunteer firefighter. His career journey, which included receiving two doctorates (one in education and another in theology), has always centered around mentorship and he continues in this vein as a pastor and board member of the NC Natural Hog Growers Association. Gerald works as a compliance officer with the NC Department of Labor, specializing in agricultural safety and health. He covers an 8 county region that requires significant travel. With a degree in political science from NC Agricultural & Technical University, Gerald says, “I had aspirations of becoming a lawyer but decided I’d rather find a job closer to home and be a part of our farming operation.”
The Millers own 30 acres and lease another 260, raising non-GMO corn, soy, wheat and oats, some of which they use as feed for their hogs. They raise hogs in fenced paddocks on open pasture, providing English-style huts for warmth or shade, depending on the season. They raise a hybrid mix, including Landrace, Poland China, Chester White and Berkshire breeds. During the pandemic they decided to open a small on-farm retail outlet and have been flooded with requests for their delicious pasture-raised pork products. Says Hugh, “I often bring pork orders with me on my way to preach on Sundays.”
Hugh and Gerald enjoy learning and looking for ways to continuously improve their hog operation and regularly turn to NCA & T grower schools and Animals Welfare Approved auditors for advice and assistance. They enjoy raising hogs outdoors on pasture. “It’s hard to predict what each day will bring and I like it that way. There’s always something new for me to try,” says Hugh.
