Small Farm Spotlight

In this series, get to know more about the small farm operations that are using sustainable methods to help meet the local demand for fresh food. And meet the farmers that are making it happen!

In the early stages of transition, HK Farm is shifting away from conventional farming as part of an overall plan to make the farm more profitable and appealing to the younger generations. Focusing on niche markets and the technological advances in DNA testing, they hope to develop a highly marketable cattle breeding program and continue to grow their industrial hemp operation.

HK Farm in its current form was established when Handy Kennedy, II left 900 acres to his twelve children. Rather than dividing the land between them, the siblings decided to keep the farm together and run it as equal partners through incorporation.

Brothers HK and Ben are two of the twelve Kennedy siblings who share ownership of HK Farm.

The siblings are the fourth generation to farm the land located near Cobbtown originally purchased by their great grandfather, the first Handy Kennedy, a hardworking and industrious farmer who overcame incredible odds to establish a farm of his own in 1869.

Fireplace and deck of the MJ Legacy Center. The Center is a spacious gathering place located on the beautiful and serene grounds of HK Farms. The Center can be rented for events and gatherings.

Though none of the current generation, or Gen 4 as they refer to themselves, chose to stay and work the farm full time, they have kept the land intact and have continued family traditions there - including growing and pressing sugarcane - and have used the land to benefit the community. (Many of those activities were suspended in 2020 due to Covid.)

The farm has hosted Youth Days enabling kids who are mostly from the Atlanta area to experience a taste of farm life and connect with nature through activities like gardening, animal husbandry, fishing, archery and horseback riding. Though enjoyment is a big part of the day, kids also help with work that needs doing on the farm.

Gen 4 also added the MJ Legacy Center to the farm. It is a venue for weddings, reunions and other events (reopening later this year). Named in honor of their mother, the MJ Legacy Center is a reflection of her community spirit and hospitality. MJ was known for excellent cooking. She loved her garden and also planted fruit trees so she could enjoy fresh produce in season - a tradition that is continued on the farm today.

Fireplace and deck of the MJ Legacy Center. The Center is a spacious gathering place located on the beautiful and serene grounds of HK Farm. The Center can be rented for events and gatherings.

The farm is currently going through a transition process as the current leadership works to turn the farm into a business that would be able to provide full time employment for members of the next generation.

“In order to get the youth you have to make sure they can make a living at it,” Handy Kennedy, III (HK) said as spokesman for Gen 4.

“And in order to make a living at it, you have to do it like anything else in life - you have to treat it like a business, you have to run it like a business.”

HK and his brother Ben both plan to retire from their full time jobs within the next 5 years and devote their attention to the farm.

While they have always kept some cattle on the land, they are shifting their cattle operation to become more intentional with their breeding program and build it into a successful business.

“We’re raising black angus beef cattle,” HK said. “And we’re implementing some sustainable practices. We’re moving into a controlled environment breeding method and we’re going to try to have a target market for our beef.”

“We want to start from the beginning and build good seed stock and work toward the full process … we want to be able to offer direct sales to consumers in the future,” HK continued.

By using the latest developments in genetic testing and following the Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) data, they hope to be as efficient as possible in choosing breeding stock that will help them build a herd of quality beef cows.

HK Farm's first hemp harvest in 2020.

In 2020, they also added a new crop to their farm - industrial hemp. Adding hemp production to the farm is another way that Gen 4 is working to lay the foundation for a successful business for the next generation. With their first year of production behind them, they are ready to move forward into the second season with a few lessons learned.

“We had a few issues,” HK said of their first season. “We ran into all types of challenges just like any new business from beginning to end. Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. But we learned a lot and we can correct a lot of things now. Growing, collecting, harvesting and marketing.”

HK Farm is selling CBD oil under their own brand which is available to purchase at the farm and will soon be available to purchase on their website. They intend to continue to develop their crop in order to meet specific needs of consumers.

HK Farm has moved away from chemical inputs on the land and are working toward a regenerative farming model. Ben has a small herd of goats on the farm and eventually they would like to add chickens and begin a rotational grazing method with their livestock.

“It’s hard for small farmers,” HK explained. “It takes time and effort to get to the regenerative method, but we’ll get there. We’re taking small incremental steps.”

HK Farm is deeply rooted in a tradition of hard work, community involvement and commitment to strong family values. Gen 4 is working diligently to build on the family’s legacy and prepare the farm to be profitable for future generations.

While many of the farm’s usual activities were suspended due to COVID, they are hoping to get things back to normal starting this summer. You can learn more about HK Farm and the opportunities available there on their website.