From his earliest days, AD wanted to farm. After he left military service, he took a job with a textile mill, working there for 34 years and retiring when the plant relocated to Honduras. His dream to start farming began in 1963 with the opportunity to take over woodland that had been his great-grandfather’s.
That inspired him to purchas land nearby, paying as he went to avoid going into debt. And then when his father retired, A.D. took over his woodlands to add to his operation.
The real work began when AD began the process of fixing up what he affectionately refers to as a “mess,” taking rundown land and building it up into a fruitful farm. Grain crops and hogs were mainstays from the beginning of his farming career.
As a founding member of the NC Natural Hog Growers Association, AD has been a big part of its success, providing invaluable expertise which includes advising producer members about breed combinations that yield the best pork quality.
When AD met Jeremiah Jones (no relation), they immediately began working together to coordinate production, share resources and form a coop. Their families have become fast friends, helping each other on- and off – the farm. Judy, AD’s wife, is a retired educator and has provided childcare for Jeremiah’s daughters. And Jeremiah in turn helps AD with a wide assortment of farm tasks, including building fences, harvesting grain and transporting hogs.
