Butler Family Farms in Roseboro, NC, is experiencing a revival of sorts. The North Carolina Century Farm, aged 109 years, has been in Timmy Butler’s family since his grandfather bought the original 14 acres for $140. Since then, Timmy’s family has grown a variety of produce, raised hogs, planted family kitchen gardens, and leased out the land as Timmy’s generation of brothers and sisters earned degrees and led lives off the farm. But now, as they retire from corporate jobs, the ten siblings are looking to add USDA Certified Organic farmers to their repertoire.
Butler Family Farms
Timmy became a CFSA member and enrolled in Organic Certification Consulting (free to farmer members). On a chilly spring morning, Farm Services Coordinator, Mark Dempsey, visited the farm to help Timmy prepare to apply for certification. After a tour of the high tunnel and fields, Timmy and Mark made their way to sister Louise’s home for the paperwork portion.
Organic Certification Consulting
Louise grows all the farm’s seedlings in a small greenhouse behind her home, the family’s main gathering place. She also tends a beautiful flower and kitchen garden, which was brimming with lettuce. “When I was growing up, I always wanted to get out of here,” she recalled. “But after a career in human resources in New Jersey, I’m back to embracing the peacefulness.”
Mark and Timmy discussed the need for better record keeping software. Timmy, who also runs a funeral home, said he can update his field logs based on his business calendar, but he’s looking for a better way. “Consulting services can include guidance in record keeping—a huge part of maintaining certified organic status—basic information on different certifying agents, answering questions about production regulations, and a review of your certification application,” said Mark.
Timmy has eager buyers from local grocery stores and restaurants for his pesticide-free basil, tomatoes, jalapenos, and watermelons. He’s excited for the future connections that certification will bring. “Through the CFSA listservs, I’ve already secured a buyer for my first crop of certified soybeans, and I’ve connected with a research university to conduct field trials,” said Timmy. “We’ve always grown without pesticides, and my siblings and I have prioritized sourcing organic seed and inputs. But certification is important because of the opportunities it will provide the farm.”
Butler Family Farms
Exciting things are happening at Butler Family Farms. From digging a new pond for future irrigation expansion to mailing off their organic certification application—the Butler siblings and their century farm aren’t slowing down.
Funding for this project was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant AM170100XXXXG084. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.