Good morning from the farm in Lowrys, SC!
Growing up on the farm, I spent my childhood trying to keep up with my dad, Gary. In the summer of 1989, I was a three-year-old shadowing his every move morning after morning. On one particular day, I trailed him around all morning like usual. Thankfully, I wasn’t with him by the time afternoon arrived. I don’t remember what happened firsthand, but it’s a story our family has remembered ever since.
Dad went out to apply nitrogen fertilizer to a corn crop. He had been a bit of a pioneer by introducing anhydrous ammonia, a type of nitrogen fertilizer which was used by many in the Midwest, to this area of South Carolina. It’s an incredibly volatile, high-pressure chemical gas that is compressed into a liquid—dangerous to store, transfer, and apply, but viewed as a necessity in the industrial model to force high yields in corn.
While Dad was working, a high-pressure hose burst.
The ammonia blasted directly into his face. It burned him severely, tearing through his skin and entering his respiratory tract. The situation was so critical he had to be airlifted to a specialized burn hospital in Augusta, Georgia.
The doctors there delivered devastating news to my family: they believed he would be blind for the rest of his life. His nasal and sinus passages were heavily compromised.
By the grace of God, Dad did not suffer long-term vision loss. His sight returned, though he has battled chronic sinus issues ever since.
Accidents can happen in any line of work, but the industrial agriculture system inherently relies on practices that put the farmer at extreme risk. It forces us to handle toxic, volatile inputs just to keep the production treadmill moving. And the truth is, those same chemical inputs that threaten the safety of the farmer are the very things degrading the life of the soil and the wholesomeness of the final product on your plate.
The Reality of the Confinement Barn
Chemicals aren’t the only hazard built into the industrial system. Years later, our farm participated in the commercial confinement turkey business.
If you’ve never been inside a commercial confinement barn, it’s hard to fully grasp the environment. The air was constantly thick with a heavy fecal dust. It was brutal on our lungs as we worked in there, and it was just as terrible for the birds. They lived out their lives breathing in that compromised air day after day.
When you crowd thousands of animals into an artificial, high-stress, low-air-quality environment, their respiratory health and immune systems are fundamentally broken down.
I believe this exact environment is why industrially raised poultry is so incredibly susceptible to disease. Look at the headlines from the last few years. In 2024 and 2025 alone, tens of millions of commercial poultry birds across the country had to be euthanized due to devastating outbreaks of bird flu.
When a food production system is that fragile and centralized, a single virus can cripple a massive segment of the market overnight. It doesn’t just cause animal suffering—it creates widespread food insecurity and volatile prices for everyday families.
A Better Way forward
We looked at that system and realized we didn’t want to be a part of the problem anymore. We chose to walk away from the confinement model and industrial inputs.
We traded the chemical tanks and dust-filled confinement barns for open skies, perennial green pastures, and daily rotational grazing. On our farm today, our cattle, pork, and poultry are raised outdoors where the soil is regenerated naturally, and the animals have access to the ultimate sanitizers: fresh air and sunshine.
Transitioning away from the conventional system wasn’t easy, and rebuilding a direct-to-consumer farm from scratch took years of hard work, trial, and financial uncertainty. But we survived because of a vital breakthrough: connecting directly with you.
When you choose to buy from Watson Farms, you aren’t purchasing from a faceless corporation or a corporate marketing brand.
- You are buying from a local, third-generation family farm.
- You are supporting a system that keeps farmers safe and respects the animals.
- You are putting clean, uncompromised, nutrient-dense food on your table.
Thank you for partnering with us in this mission. Your support is the reason we can farm with integrity every single day.
Your farmer,
Matt Watson
Product Spotlight: Clean, Pasture-Raised Chicken Bundles
Raising birds the right way means getting them out of the crowded barns and onto fresh grass every single day. Our pastured broiler chickens live outside, foraging for bugs and clover while breathing clean Carolina air. You can truly taste the difference that fresh air, sunshine, and clean living make in the quality of the meat.
To help you stock your freezer with clean, healthy protein, we have two great boneless skinless options available this week:
- The New Boneless Skinless Mini Bundle: If you love our pasture-raised chicken breasts but are working with limited freezer space, this brand-new mini bundle is the perfect fit. It’s a convenient way to get clean, uncompromised poultry into your weekly meal prep. 👉 Shop the Boneless Skinless Mini Bundle
- The 15-Pack Boneless Skinless Bundle: Looking to stock up and lock in the absolute best value? Our original 15-pack bundle offers a deeper volume discount, making it the perfect choice for families looking to maximize their savings on premium, pasture-raised chicken. 👉 Shop the 15-Pack Boneless Skinless Bundle & Save
Final Notice: Pastured Pork Blowout Ends Tonight!
Don’t forget—today is the absolute last day of our Pastured Pork Blowout Event! If you’ve been waiting to restock your freezer with our pasture-raised pork, the clock is ticking.
All blowout deals on chops, sausage, ribs, and more will expire tonight (Sunday) at midnight. Once the clock strikes twelve, these savings are gone.
👉 Shop the Pastured Pork Blowout Event before midnight!
Thank you again for your incredible support. Whether you’re trying out the new chicken mini bundle or catching the final hours of the pork sale, your partnership is what keeps our family farming with integrity.
Browse All Grass-Fed & Pasture-Raised Meats
Check out this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review from Bonnie:
“The beef, pork, and chicken are some of the best quality meat you can buy! They also have recipe ideas on their website. The pork breakfast sausage is the best. You will never want Jimmie dean again! The pork chops and steaks are so flavorfull and the bacon is a clean slate for any seasoning you like. It’s nice to be able to support local farms and regenerative farming.”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
Shipping Timeline and Store Hours
UPS Orders (all orders ship with insulation and dry ice):
UPS orders normally ship out on Mondays – Wednesdays.
Tracking: As usual, you will receive an automated email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves the farm.
Farm Pickup (Always Free!):
If you are local, Farm Pickup is often the fastest way to get your products. Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is Ready for Pickup (typically 1 business day after your order is placed) before heading over.
Farm Store & Pickup Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday & Sunday: Closed
Farm Store Address: 713 Colony Road, Chester, SC 29706