Brandon and Tina Gayle met in high school, and after graduation both joined the military. Brandon served 20 years in the Marines while Tina served in the Air Force — together building the disciplined foundation that would later shape their approach to farming.
As Brandon neared retirement, YouTube videos on regenerative livestock production caught his attention and piqued his interest above all other options. It made sense as a means of utilizing his family’s land, building a self-sustaining livelihood, and spending his days outdoors in nature with animals. Says Tina, “We’re one of those lucky couples that survived a long career in the military with our family intact. We’re grateful for every day we get to work here together on the farm.”
Back on home soil, the Gayles moved to Virgilina to take over Brandon’s father’s farm, and Brandon arranged an internship with his neighbor, Dr. Matt Poore, a beef cattle producer and research specialist in regenerative grazing management at NCSU. During that year, he and Tina learned a lot about intensive rotational grazing and which grasses and forages to plant for the health of the cattle, pollinators, and the land. They became convinced that these practices would be the best way to rehabilitate their family’s land after years of extractive tobacco production. As Brandon puts it, “I want to build the healthiest soil possible to provide the best quality life for the animals who are in my care and who sacrifice their lives so we can make a living off the land.”
The Gayles have formed a mutually beneficial relationship with Dr. Poore. They have started their own small herd of cows which run with the Poore’s cows while they wait to build the quality of their soils, plant pastures and develop infrastructure. They have started planting their land in Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue, and the hay they harvest is sold to Dr. Poore. Some of the calves from their cows are finished and sold to Firsthand Foods.
With an ambitious 10-year plan to improve their soils, grow their herd, and pass what they build onto their two children, Brandon and Lainey, the Gayles bring the same project management skills they honed in the military to break down complex operations into manageable weekly activities. They share every task equally — Tina doing as much of the heavy lifting as Brandon — and they approach it all with tremendous patience, describing themselves first and foremost as “Grass Farmers” who understand that it all starts with the soil.
