Trevor and Haverly Pennington run a grass-fed cattle operation a couple of miles from the farm I grew up on.
Their farming model conjures a picture of the American dream that feels distant but is current and even progressive.
Trevor Pennington and his ranch hand ride in the pasture at 1822 Farms.
We are in modern times of farming with big machines and automatic feeders. You appear to be moving in a different direction.
Explain your approach:
Our approach is simple, the well-being of our livestock comes first. Low-stress handling of our livestock is our number one goal, which is why we don’t use four-wheelers, side-by-sides, or trucks to move our livestock or even check them In the pasture. We use horses for everything we do with our cattle. We allow the animals to grow as nature intended, and in the end we have a much better end product.
Bo watches his dad drive cattle while his mom drives the truck ahead of the herd.
Hattie Anne bottle feeds a calf at the barn at 1822 Farms.
What do you hope to teach your children through this process?
The life we lead is full of tradition and that tradition has fed our great country for hundreds of years. 1.5% of the country’s population feeds the other 98% of the population. I hope that my children continue to see the value in our job and that most importantly they want to continue to honor “the cowboy lifestyle” and the tradition that has come before them
In what ways does this work fulfill you and your family?
The greatest joy is knowing that we are providing a product that nourishes the families of our community. I enjoy the partnership between my horse and me when we are out working together among the cattle. Very few people in this world can say that truly enjoy their work, and I can truly say that I love my job and I am blessed beyond words to my job every day.
Learn more about 1822 Farms.