Brandon Wiley is a third generation farmer who grew up working alongside his father, Leon Wiley Sr., and his uncle, Robert Wiley, raising tobacco and beef cattle. After seeing the evolution of his family’s farming practices, Brandon pursued his passion for agriculture, earning a B.S. in Agricultural Education with a minor in Animal Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, followed by a M.S. in Agricultural Education, Professional Services.
During his time at NC A&T, Brandon met his wife, Dr. Jeannette Delva Wiley, who was attending Bennett College. Together, they have four children.
Their farm operation is a true family affair, with contributions from Brandon’s father, Leon Wiley Sr., his uncle, Robert Wiley, his brother, Leon Wiley Jr., his sister, Dr. Shannon Wiley, and his cousin, Duane Wiley. Together, they manage a herd of 80 cows, selling most of their feeder calves at auction in Siler City. Brandon recently took a class at NC A&T on raising swine outdoors on pasture, which inspired him to introduce Berkshire hogs into their operation—Jeannette has been a tremendous help with the pigs, working alongside Brandon to ensure their care and integration into the farm. In addition to cattle and hogs, they also produce pasture-raised eggs, which provide another key income stream.
Like many farmers, Brandon’s biggest challenge is managing his time. Both Brandon and Jeannette work off the farm—Jeannette is a Post Doctoral Research Associate at UNC Chapel Hill, and Brandon works in Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When asked if he would consider farming full-time, Brandon says, “Maybe one day.” Still, his passion drives him to work long hours, often into the night with a headlamp on his head, tending to the animals even in pouring rain. What does he love most about farming? “It’s rewarding to watch something I care for unfold before me… to see it grow and thrive.”
Farming also provides Brandon with a sense of purpose and meaning, which he is proud to pass on to his children. According to Brandon, they are all “team players.” His son, Brandon Jr., is learning the family tradition of hunting and caring for the hounds they keep for this purpose. His oldest daughters, Alexis and Emory, are tremendous helpers on the farm, each carrying 50-pound bags of hog feed and driving the truck to deliver it to the hogs’ wooded area.
The Wiley family’s unwavering dedication to their land, their animals, and their community is truly inspiring. We are honored to partner with farmers like Brandon, who not only provide high quality products but also bring heart, heritage, and a vision for a more sustainable food system to everything they do. As Brandon likes to say, “Taste the difference tradition makes!”
