County: Granville
Years in Firsthand Foods Network: 2011-2014
Greg Shaeffer,
Research Operations Manager
Butner Research Station, NC State University • Butner, NC
Greg Shaeffer,
OUR FARMERS
COUNTY
Granville
Granville
YEAR FOUNDED
1985
1985
FARM SIZE
1200 acres
1200 acres
FARM OUTPUT
Beef Cattle, Grain Crops
Beef Cattle, Grain Crops
Greg manages Butner Research Station, one of six beef-focused agricultural research facilities collaboratively managed by NC State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Just 20 miles north of Durham, the Butner Station includes over 2000 acres of fields, pastures, and woods, much of which is adjacent to Lake Michie, Durham’s source for drinking water.
Greg started at Butner in 2002 while working on a Masters in Agricultural Science at NC State University. As the current Research Operations Manager, Greg is in charge of multiple beef-related projects, including those focused on how pasture-based production impacts forage, meat and soil quality. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, Firsthand Foods collaborates with Butner by purchasing steers and providing meat samples for evaluation. In turn, we learn how to improve production practices and meat quality outcomes.
