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Overview
Farmer Focus produces and sells organic chicken using a farmer-first model that centers farmers in the supply chain. Farmers own the chickens and manage their farms under organic standards, while Farmer Focus provides branding, support, and a shared supply chain. Unlike traditional poultry models where the company owns birds and farms, this approach aligns incentives around welfare, sustainability, and farmer autonomy. The goal is to expand access to organic chicken while improving farmer livelihoods, animal welfare, and environmental outcomes through a transparent, farmer-owned system.
About Farmer Focus
Industries
Food & Agriculture
Social Impact
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Early VC
Total Funding
$35.2M
Headquarters
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Founded
2014
Your Connections
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- National fully cooked launch expands into convenient weeknight meals.
- Kroger, FreshDirect, and Mom's Organic Market already carry new SKUs.
- USDA grant and expansion plans add processing capacity for growth.
What critics are saying
- Wastewater violations and sample-falsification allegations invite fines and retailer delistings.
- George's sourcing allegations undermine premium traceability and organic positioning.
- Prepared-food competitors intensify margin pressure in crowded refrigerated convenience aisles.
What makes Farmer Focus unique
- Farmer-owned chickens give partner farmers full operational control and decision rights.
- Brand positions organic, humane, and traceable poultry as a premium alternative.
- QR-code farm IDs support consumer transparency and farmer storytelling.
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Funding
Total Funding
$35.2M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
6 Rounds
Benefits
Health Insurance
Paid Vacation
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Stock Options
Company Equity
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave
Parental Leave
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Medical Insurance
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 4%In a decisive move impacting grocery shoppers across Southern Maryland, Shoppers Food, a supermarket chain with 22 stores in Maryland and Virginia, has ceased selling chicken from Harrisonburg-based Farmer Focus.
Farmer Focus, backed by S2G Ventures, raised $7 million as it expands its humane chicken offerings. The company, based in Harrisonburg, Va., has previously raised $27.8 million and received a $3.6 million grant from the USDA in 2023. CEO Stephen Shepard, who took over in 2023, aims to empower farmers and address the decline of small family farms. Farmer Focus products are available in over 4,000 stores, with a waitlist of 100+ farmers seeking to join.
Farmer Focus, based in Harrisonburg, Va., has secured $7 million to expand its "humane" chicken offerings, as per an SEC filing. The company, led by CEO Stephen Shepard and CFO Susan Lattmann, has previously raised $27.8 million from investors like Open Prairie and S2G Ventures. In 2023, Farmer Focus also received a $3.6 million grant from the USDA's Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.
HARRISONBURG, Va., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Truly Creative's redesign of Farmer Focus' packaging just received the 2024 Graphic Design USA Best-of-Year Award.
Farmer Focus named recipient of the 2024 Chicken Marketer of the Year award.
Farmer Focus is Hiring for 7 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Farmer Focus
Industries
Food & Agriculture
Social Impact
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Early VC
Total Funding
$35.2M
Headquarters
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Founded
2014
Farmer Focus is Hiring for 7 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today