AJ Taylor didn’t grow up in the swine industry. However, through searching for healthier food options, he and his grandpa began to find the benefits of forest- and pasture-raised pork.
This led them to establish Papa Kenny’s Farm in their hometown of Bergman, Ark., in 2022. After only two short years of being in the pork production business, Taylor and his family continue to gain knowledge and an appreciation for this growing industry.
Taylor started his SAE out small, but it has grown. In 2022, he and his grandpa started raising pigs on 3 ½ acres of pasture and woods. The Bergman FFA senior has since increased his production space nearly 6 ½ times over. He currently operates on a 23-acre woods and pasture operation, with future goals of fencing another 30 acres.
Two years ago, Taylor and his family purchased their first set of pigs: a boar and three sows. From the first litter of pigs to today, they have tremendously grown the size of their operation. Currently, they have eight sows and a boar for breeding stock. Additionally, there are 40 pigs; they are currently feeding out, which they’ll eventually take to the butcher when they reach the target weight of 300 pounds.
Since USDA-inspected processors are rare in the area, Taylor and his family have traveled far in search of one that meets their standards. They have visited every USDA-inspected meat processor within a seven-hour radius of Bergman, Ark., and ultimately decided upon Cypress Valley Meat Company in Pottsville, Ark. To ensure a steady supply of fresh meat for their customers, they make the six-hour round trip nearly every three months. Although the pigs typically weigh around 300 pounds when transported to Pottsville, only about half of that live weight is converted into usable meat.
As a USDA-inspected pork producer, Taylor has the opportunity to set up at the local farmers market every Saturday, where he offers a variety of fresh pork products. Although he doesn’t provide smoked or cured items, his focus is on delivering a variety of high-quality, fresh cuts for the community to enjoy.
Taylor and his grandfather started their business with this community-focused approach, and have since grown to provide fresh pork for local businesses such as Daylight Donuts.
