County: Duplin
Years in Firsthand Foods Network: 2011-2021
Kenneth & Helen Stevens
Buckmarsh All Natural Farm • Seven Springs, NC
OUR FARMERS
COUNTY
Duplin
Duplin
YEAR FOUNDED
Early 1900s
Early 1900s
FARM SIZE
300 acres
300 acres
FARM OUTPUT
hogs, cows, chickens, donkeys, soybeans
hogs, cows, chickens, donkeys, soybeans
Before they started farming together, Kenneth and Helen ran a successful contracting business. When the regional housing market dried up, they decided to try their hand at farming and raising hogs outdoors on pasture. Helen’s father provided the land for them to get started and Kenneth and Helen (and their three children) supplied the labor.
Named after a creek on their property, Buckmarsh All Natural Farm has matured into a diversified operation that supports their family and one full-time employee. The Stevens raise a hybrid breed mix that includes Yorkshire, Duroc, Berkshire and Chesterwhite in both pastures and woodlots and grow all of their own non-GMO corn and soy for hog feed.
Kenneth and Helen are High School sweethearts and feel blessed to enjoy farming together. Kenneth also serves as a Free Will Baptist minister. When she’s not too busy with farm and family responsibilities, Helen can be found enjoying the company of animals, both wild and domesticated.
