With rolling pastures, red poultry houses and black cattle nestled in foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Porter Farms is peaceful, productive and practically picture perfect.

It’s also testament to the power of childhood dreams.

“When I was a little boy, every time we would go to Walmart, I wanted to get a toy tractor and add it to my ‘farm,’” said Jacob Porter, 31. “I saw myself farming (as a career); I just didn’t know how it was going to happen.”

Jacob’s father and paternal grandfather raised hogs until the early 2000s, while his maternal grandparents were cattle farmers. Despite that strong foundation, market shifts and family members’ declining health curtailed hopes of continuing an active operation.

A farming future meant starting from near scratch.

Jacob began Porter Farms as a teen with a couple head of cattle — a herd that expanded while he earned a degree in electrical technology.

Today, the farm near Lineville in Clay County annually produces more than 3 million pounds of poultry and includes cattle, haylage and hogs.

It’s a fulfilling lifestyle, said Jacob’s wife, Misty.

“I love everything about it — being outside, being goal oriented,” said Misty, 32. “Whatever we’re doing, even if we’re just checking fences, we’re together.”

Despite growing up in rural Clay County, Misty was introduced to farm life when she and Jacob began dating in high school. She’s since learned to drive a tractor and care for livestock — skills their sons Olen, 6, and Asher, 1, are learning from the onset.

Misty shares farm lessons with her kindergarten flock at Ashland Elementary School, too.

“I want my students at school to experience what my kids at home get to experience,” Misty said.

Last year, an Ag in the Classroom grant helped her purchase an incubator and brood house. The mini farm is paying dividends, she said, noting the joy pint-sized pupils found studying the chicken life cycle.

Misty’s calm demeanor and can-do attitude bless her students and family, Jacob said.

“I tell her all the time God won’t let anything happen to her because He knows I can’t do it by myself,” Jacob said. “She’s the best mom there is. She keeps us in line, keeps everything flowing and keeps the boys where they need to be.”

On the farm, the Porters’ priorities include decreasing debt while increasing financial stability. They’ve looked inward for solutions, too.

A low feed conversion rate helps them remain competitive in the local poultry complex. Cattle weaning weights have grown because of bull selection, high-quality feed and carcass data review. Poultry litter is recycled as natural fertilizer, and equipment investments turn a profit thanks to custom haylage work.

Misty credits her husband’s dedication and drive to the decade’s worth of improvements.

“Jacob is hardworking, determined, goal-oriented and goes after what he wants,” Misty said. “He’s also selfless. If someone calls for help, he’s the first one there.”

In addition to serving his faith family at Barfield Baptist Church, Jacob is the local fire department assistant chief and a board member of Clay County’s Emergency Communications District, which manages 9-1-1 services. He serves on the State Young Farmers Committee and State Poultry Committee, and he and Misty are leaders in Clay County Young Farmers.

While many peers see Jacob’s quiet countenance, underneath lies a deep love for family — and larger-than-life personality, said his older sister, Anna Porter Morrison.

“He is not reserved, believe it or not,” Anna said with a laugh. “With his people, he’s very outgoing. He’s honestly the class clown for our family.”

The brother-sister duo partner in raising hogs, a venture born of supply chain issues and a return to their farming roots. Anna and other family members often pitch in during busy seasons — a gift of time Jacob holds dear.

As Jacob watches his sons play with decades-old toy tractors in the shadow of a barn, he’s humbled by God’s providence.

“As you grow older, you see things happen…and you realize there’s only one way they happened, and that’s God,” Jacob said. “The Lord blessed me in ways that I’m undeserving of. I thank Him every day for it.”