Duplin farmer named N.C.’s Pork Producer of the Year

By Abby Cavenaugh

Duplin Journal 

Agriculture is a way of life in Duplin County, and no one understands that better than our area’s farmers. However, there’s not often recognition of the hard work that goes into making a farm successful. One exception to that rule is Beulaville-area farmer Brian Kennedy, who was awarded the North Carolina Pork Council’s Outstanding Pork Producer of the Year award at the council’s Annual Conference on Feb. 29.

Brian Kennedy and his wife, Sherry, purchased their first farm outside Beulaville in 2003. The family now owns two finishing farms, which means they get the hogs when they’re about 40-50 pounds and grow them until they’re close to 300 pounds.

Brian said that he started with Prestage Farms in 1991 at 19 years of age, and has been with the corporation ever since.

“Prestage has helped me create a lifestyle that has been good for me and my family — everything we have is because of Prestage,” he said. “I’m proud to work and grow hogs for one of the largest family-owned protein businesses in the country, and I’m thankful that I had the chance to work for Mr. [Bill] Prestage.”

The feeling, it would seem, is mutual. In a statement honoring Kennedy and the other winners of awards from the N.C. Pork Council, Prestage Farms stated, “The pork industry truly has some incredible individuals, and we are lucky to be able to know and work beside some of them.”

Though they’ll continue their pork grower contract with Prestage Farms, Brian Kennedy said the family will also focus on expanding their cattle farm in the future. “We got started in the cattle business because our children showed heifers,” Sherry said. “Our cattle herd has grown from that.”

Brian also thanked his wife and two children — Ciarra, 23, and Connor, 19 — for helping him earn the award, even asking Sherry to come onstage with him to receive the award.

“He said he couldn’t accomplish what he has accomplished without me,” said Sherry. “I take care of the hogs, and he is the finishing production manager for Prestage Farms.”

“It’s really been a joint effort,” Brian added.

Other winners during the Pork Council’s annual conference were: Emerging Leaders Award — Zeke McCullen; Award for Excellence in Innovation — Dr. Ashley DeDecker, W.W. Shay Award for Industry Distinction — Dr. Billy Flowers, and N.C. Pork Hall of Fame — Jimmy Pollock.

“It’s an honor for my husband,” Sherry said, “because I know he is all in, but for other people to see and recognize that he’s doing his best, it makes me very proud.”