Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
July 14, 2025
Farmer Focus Secures $7M to Expand Humane Chicken Farming
TLDR
- Farmer Focus secures $7M funding to expand its humane chicken offerings, providing a competitive edge in sustainable and ethical poultry farming.
- Farmer Focus's model allows farmers to own their flocks and receive fair pay, supported by $7M in new funding and a $3.6M USDA grant.
- Farmer Focus empowers small family farms with fair wages and ownership, aiming to reduce farmer debt and suicide rates while promoting sustainability.
- From 300 birds to tens of thousands, Farmer Focus's growth and awards highlight its success in revolutionizing humane chicken farming.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news highlights a significant step towards sustainable and ethical poultry farming, addressing the pressing issues of farmer autonomy and fair compensation. Farmer Focus's model not only supports small family farms but also offers consumers high-quality, humanely raised chicken products. Their success and expansion could inspire similar initiatives, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Summary
Shenandoah Valley Organic, operating as Farmer Focus, has successfully raised $7 million in funding, as disclosed in an SEC filing. This financial boost is aimed at expanding its range of 'humane' chicken products. The company, led by CEO Stephen Shepard and supported by CFO Susan Lattmann, has previously secured $27.8 million from notable backers including Open Prairie, NRV, Virginia Tech Carilion Innovation Fund, and S2G Ventures. In 2023, Farmer Focus was awarded a $3.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enhance its Liberty chicken processing facility. Founded by Corwin Heatwole, a descendant of farmers, Farmer Focus champions a business model that prioritizes farmer autonomy and fair compensation, distinguishing itself from traditional poultry farming contracts.
Under Shepard's leadership, Farmer Focus is addressing critical issues in the farming community, such as the decline of small family farms and the financial struggles of farmers. The company's innovative approach has not only garnered recognition, including Fast Company's 2022 World Changing Ideas award, but also a growing demand for its products across major retailers in the East Coast and Midwest. With a waitlist of over 100 farmers eager to join its collective, Farmer Focus is paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future in poultry farming.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Farmer Focus Secures $7M to Expand Humane Chicken Farming
