Hi,
I’m Kevin Moyers and I would like to introduce myself and the Shepherds Bounty family. We are, from left to right, Branden, Cora, Wrenle, Kevin, Kim, Emily, and Plynn.
My wife, Kim and I operate Twilight Farms in Hot Springs, VA. Our daughter Cora and her husband Branden operate their own farm BC Cattle Company near Petersburg, WV. Our younger daughter Emily and her husband Plynn operate Brushy Bottom Farm in Goshen, VA. Each of our daughters owns a share of Twilight Farms, and we all work together to provide the highest quality and most nutritious beef that we can for you.
The name of our joint marketing venture “Shepherds Bounty” comes from the Twilight Farms mission to be wise stewards of God’s land and faithful shepherds of His livestock.
Kim and I both have farming backgrounds. My family has farmed in the rugged mountains near Franklin, West Virginia for 5 generations. The land is steep and unsuitable for row crop production. It is ideal for grazing livestock. Nutritious cool season grasses and legumes thrive in the high elevation pastures. Cooler temperatures and shade from the scattered trees allow the cattle to graze comfortably even during the hot summer months. Kim grew up on a farm near Culpeper, Virginia. That area is better suited for row crop production. It is not as favorable for grazing due to the warmer temperatures and higher humidity.
Kim and I both left home to pursue other careers. I work as an engineer in a paper mill, and Kim as a nurse practitioner. We decided to start our own farm in 2005. Our goals were to return to our farming roots, allow our two daughters to experience the farming lifestyle first hand, and prepare them to pursue careers in agriculture if they chose to. Kim and I rented a small farm nearby and purchased 10 cows from my parents to start our herd. A close friend nicknamed me the “Twilight Farmer” because I worked during the day in the paper mill and tended the farm at night. The name stuck, and the operation became “Twilight Farms”. Our daughters Cora and Emily became active in the new farming operation, helping with animal care and land maintenance.
Starting from scratch allowed us to challenge some traditional practices and try new ideas. I started attending conferences and seminars to learn about new land and animal management strategies. We learned about regenerative farming where you focus first on promoting soil health and living organisms in the soil. This promotes plant growth and limits the need for chemical inputs. Healthier and more diverse forages make for healthier animals, and ultimately healthy people. There is an old saying that you are what you eat. We would say that you are what your food ate.
One of our first regenerative practices was rotational grazing where the cattle are confined to a small area with temporary fencing rather than let them roam over the entire pasture. The cattle are moved frequently to new areas. This system allows grazed areas to fully recover before being harvested again.
We expanded our regenerative focus with a new leased farm that had been planted in corn and soybeans for nearly 40 years. Conventional farming practices had stripped the once fertile river bottom soil of nutrients, organic matter, and micro-organisms. The dirt was compacted and lifeless. Crop yields were not adequate to cover planting and fertilizer expenses, so the previous tenant had given up the lease.
We began by planting a diverse cover crop mixture in the fallow crop fields.
Temporary water systems and fencing were installed to allow livestock to graze the cover crops. The cattle spread manure over the fields and trampled plant residue into the soil. This helped to build fertility and relieve soil compaction. After several cycles of cover crops, we planted a diverse perennial grass and legume mixture in the fields. Permanent water systems and fencing were installed as funding allowed to optimize grazing efficiency. Today, our beef are finished on the newly established grass and legume pastures.
Cora and Branden Begin Building Their Own Legacy
Our older daughter Cora earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She joined a mixed animal practice in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, but her passion is caring for food animals. Her husband Branden did not come from a farming background. He was introduced to the farm life by a close family friend. After they were married, he left his factory job to follow Cora and pursue their dreams. Cora and Branden purchased a small farm near Petersburg, West Virginia, and started their own operation, BC Cattle Company. They raise cattle, sheep and pigs. They were blessed by the birth of the newest shepherd, Wrenle, who already shares her parents passion for animals.
Following in Her Grandmother's Footsteps
Our younger daughter Emily is passionate about promoting health and fitness. As an Occupational Therapist, she helps people return to productive lives after illness, surgeries, or accidents. She is also very passionate about land stewardship and animal husbandry. Emily and her husband Plynn are working to implement regenerative practices on their newly acquired small farm. Emily and Plynn started their cattle herd with four cows inherited from my mother. She is working to produce the most nutritious beef possible while honoring the legacy of her grandmother. Emily also raises chickens and is an avid gardener. Plynn is the mechanic, livestock handler, and all around handyman for the operation. He works as caretaker for another local farm in addition to managing their own operation.
What People Are Saying About Our Beef
Kurt F.
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"Wanted to let you know I fixed the first steaks out of my meat, the strips. They were the most tender I've ever had. Perfectly cut as well."
Bruce
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"Branden the beef couldn't be any better.... Better than any steakhouse......flavor is perfect thanks again"
Jennifer D.
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"My family has exclusively purchased our beef from Shepherd's Bounty for the last 4 years. They provide a superior product with taste that can't be found inside the stores. We love their customer service and working with us personally to meet our needs for beef delivery. We will continue to be life long customers."
Melissa G.
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"I received my package yesterday and the grill kit a few days before that. Thank you all so very much for the opportunity to have these prizes. With the way the industrial meat machine is moving these days it is refreshing to have good, healthy and delicious meat. I made burgers last night and do not remember them being that good since I was a child. Thank you and bless you all!!
"Wanted to let you know I fixed the first steaks out of my meat, the strips. They were the most tender I've ever had. Perfectly cut as well."
Kurt F. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"The beef couldn't be any better.... Better than any steakhouse......flavor is perfect thanks again"
Bruce - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"My family has exclusively purchased our beef from Shepherd's Bounty for the last 4 years. They provide a superior product with taste that can't be found inside the stores. We love their customer service and working with us personally to meet our needs for beef delivery. We will continue to be life long customers."
Jennifer D. - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️