When Cade and Shelby Easterling tied the knot Jan. 23, 2023, they didn’t just become one family.

They joined farms, too, uniting her Generation Ridge and his Red Rock — two broiler chicken operations in Dale and Barbour counties, respectively.

“We both love to farm, and making our farms work together was never a big to-do,” said Cade, 31. “From Day 1, it was just part of life.”

Near the top of the newlyweds’ farm to-do list was transitioning to the same integrator across all eight poultry houses. That move streamlined bird size, flock placement and sell dates for the nearly 3 million chickens they raise each year.

“We grow a rotisserie-sized chicken, so that’s 3 million meals we are providing families all across the U.S.,” said Shelby, 30. “That sits well with me because I know the food we grow is wholesome, good to eat and safe because I feed it to my family.”

The Easterlings’ southeast Alabama flock extends beyond poultry into goats, sheep and cattle.

Their most precious lamb, however, is daughter Mary Jo. The 18-month-old farm kid toddles in her parents’ bootsteps, whether checking chickens with Shelby, feeding cows with Cade or setting out on the family’s favorite pastime — coon hunting.

“When Mary Jo was a little bitty baby, we could slide her down in Cade’s overalls, and he would take her all over the farm. That is just the most precious memory,” Shelby said with a sweet smile. “Now that she’s big enough to wear overalls, I love to put her in them and just see them go and do their thing. I can stay home and cook dinner and know they’re out there solving all the farm’s problems together.”

The simple lifestyle is an answered prayer and fulfilled dream.

A straight-shooting handyman with a knack for solving problems, Cade earned an aviation mechanic certification after high school. A local poultry farmer took Cade under his wing around the same time, teaching him the ropes of raising chickens.

Despite Barbour County’s proximity to aviation mainstay Fort Rucker, the clarion call to farm was clear.

Cade stepped out on faith and built four poultry houses, naming the farm Red Rock after a childhood nickname due to his ginger-hued hair. Red Rock’s first flock was delivered May 28, 2019.

Just 20 minutes away, Shelby’s Generation Ridge received its first flock weeks earlier on April 1. The poultry operation shares a moniker with her on-farm event venue, a weathered wooden barn that hosts sundry celebrations. Cattle chomp tall green grass nearby, adding to the agritourism-esque atmosphere. 

A long-time believer in the tenets of FFA, Shelby taught agriscience before returning to the farm. While she’s no longer in the classroom, Shelby remains a passionate proponent of youth education and volunteerism, lending time to the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association, the Beef Checkoff Committee and the State Young Farmers Committee. She and Cade serve on the State Sheep & Goat Committee, in Barbour County Young Farmers and as grassroots Extension advisers.

“Cade sometimes jokes, ‘Which one are you going to today?’” said Shelby, also a member of the elite A.L.F.A. Leaders program Class VII. “It all goes back to serving other people and making sure we have a future for our children to grow and prosper in.”

To secure that strong future, the Easterlings continue to improve their farm. They’ve replaced fencing, acquired land, improved weed control, upgraded equipment, diversified into custom farming and repaired machinery for fellow farmers.

They’re good shepherds reliant on the Good Shepherd — giving Him praise in seasons of plenty and times of petition. 

“Everything I’ve ever wanted is to have my children and my wife here on the farm every day with me,” Cade said. “As we wake up in the morning, my goal is to make it through the day and for nothing to do without. I don’t want my chickens to do without, my cows, my sheep, my wife, my little girl. If we make it through the day and nothing has done without, I think that’s a pretty good day.”