Five generations of our family have lived under the same roof. The tradition of farming goes much farther back than any of us know. The farm has had many changes and much diversity over the years. It has had a dairy, hogs, chickens, corn silage, sheep, burley tobacco and beef cattle. We have grown, adapted, and changed with the demands of the market yet one thing remains the same and will always stand the test of time. A farm feeds people.
In 1987, our father, Jeff, started finishing six to eight beef cattle a year for friends and family. A little over a decade later it became necessary to replace the main income of tobacco production. He and Charlotte, our mother, made the decision to go into beef production full time. They were blessed with a successful business that was growing steadily.
In the spring of 2007, our family suffered the unexpected loss of our dad. Our mother was still teaching full time, and we were still in school as a freshmen and a seventh grader. Both of us were extremely active in sports, FFA, clubs, community, church and family life. This led to the decision to downsize the farm, herd and business. Despite the difficulty of the decision, we trusted the promise that God had a plan for all of it and that in the darkest of times we could be reassured that He would never forsake us, and He never has.
Since 2007 we have seen God bless our family and the farm over and over again. The herd and production have steadily increased as we both have moved into the business full time and Taylor was "officially" added to the family on July 19, 2014 when we (Jordan) were married.
The name, Rising Sons Beef, was adopted as a tribute to our father and the start of a legacy for generations to come.
Through the years, through the losses and additions, struggles and successes, one constant has remained: our faith in Jesus Christ. We have not always understood why things have happened but we know that, "He has made everything appropriate in its time." Ecc. 3:11. We have drawn and will continue to draw our daily strength from the hope we have in Jesus Christ, our Savior. As much as we love working the farm we realize that the purpose for our existence is to serve God and we pray that we glorify Him through our lives and this business. We are the Rising Sons serving the Risen Son!!
Jeff & Charlotte
Jeff was the 3rd generation to live on our farm. He started selling beef in 1987 but only to friends, family and neighbors. At the time he only sold 6-7 per year. With the tobacco buyout in 2004 Jeff and Charlotte decided to start the business and sell beef full time. Upon the death of Jeff in 2007, Charlotte was forced to take a much larger roll with the farm while still teaching school and raising two sons, a freshman and 7th grader.
Roles have changed since 2007, but Charlotte is still very active in the business. She is involved in all decisions and works farmer's market.
Off the farm, Charlotte plays piano and teaches preschoolers at Mackville Christian Church. She is also very involved with VBS every year. She teaches piano and babysits her great nieces/ nephews and granddaughters.
Jacob
Jacob is the youngest brother. He is active in all parts of the operation but focuses on our feeding program, daily operations and well-being of the cow herd.
Jacob is very involved with the youth group at Mackville Christian Church. He takes an active role in leading services every Sunday as well. He always works a week as faculty at Camp Calvary for middle schoolers, and helps in various ways at Camp all year round. He referees basketball, works part-time with Kentucky Beef Network and picks up every odd job he can find.
Jordan & Taylor
Jordan and Taylor were married in 2014, and have two daughters, Blaire and Sawyer. Jordan is the oldest son and along with Jacob is involved in all parts of the operation. He manages all the records and genetics for the cow herd and all the office work for the business. Taylor assists with office work and manages all the social media sites while managing her own business, Peach Pie Embroidery.
Jordan and Taylor teach high schoolers at Willisburg Christian Church and are heavily involved with VBS. Taylor, with the assistance of Jordan, organizes Operation Christmas Child at Willisburg Christian Church. They both work several weeks at Camp Calvary, including being the dean of a high school mission trip. Together, they have also lead several overseas mission trips.
