Farmer Focus Secures $7M to Expand Humane Chicken Farming Initiative
Farmer Focus raises $7 million to further its mission of supporting small family farms through humane chicken farming, addressing the decline in small family farms and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Farmer Focus, a Harrisonburg, Va.-based company specializing in humane chicken farming, has successfully closed a $7 million funding round. This latest financial boost is part of the company's ongoing efforts to expand its innovative farming model that prioritizes farmer empowerment and sustainable practices. With previous funding rounds totaling $27.8 million and a recent $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farmer Focus is poised to make significant strides in the agricultural sector.
The company's unique approach allows farmers to own their flocks, ensuring fair compensation and eliminating competitive pressures that often disadvantage small-scale producers. This model not only supports the livelihoods of farmers but also contributes to the preservation of small family farms, which have been disappearing at an alarming rate. According to CEO Stephen Shepard, the decline of nearly 150,000 small family farms since the last USDA census highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions like those offered by Farmer Focus.
Farmer Focus's products are now available in over 4,000 stores across the East Coast and Midwest, including major retailers such as Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter, and Safeway. The company's success and commitment to ethical farming practices have earned it recognition, including a spot on Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas list and several industry awards. With a waitlist of over 100 farmers eager to join its collective, Farmer Focus is leading the way in transforming the poultry industry into a more equitable and sustainable sector.