NC hog farms

Heaven on the Farm: The Mewborn Family

“The family farm—is more than a business—the family farm is a lifestyle—it is an ideal worth preserving.”

Robin and Wesley Mewborn met in middle school in Duplin County. When they first started dating, Wesley knew nothing about farming; however, Robin had grown up on a multi-generational farm. In 2010, the couple got married. Together, they dreamed of raising their own family on the farm. That dream became a reality in 2014 when they placed their first set of chickens, growing for Case Farms. A few years later, they would add a hog farm and grow for Smithfield.

Although their dream came true, it wasn’t easy. As a first-generation farmer, you start with nothing. When Wesley would ask how he could get started, he was met with statements like, “You don’t. You can’t.” But seven years later, the Mewborns have made it work.

“It just makes me proud to be his wife,” said Robin. “To be that first generation for our children, to grow into that knowing how much work and dedication he’s put into this. His dedication has created this.”

Wesley credits a lot of the opportunity to farm to Cape Fear Farm Credit. “If it wasn’t for Farm Credit we wouldn’t have what we have. They have bent over backwards, so in return they’ve enabled those two [their kids] to have something one day,” Wesley said with emotion.

Robin and Wesley with Shannon Bell and Carrie Cumbo from CFFC.

Farm Credit is more than a lender for rural and agricultural communities. They are also a resource. Wesley says that sometimes, before talking to Robin, he’ll call the folks at Farm Credit to ask if something is a smart move or will something work? “When they say yes, I go home and say, ‘hey, Robin guess what?’” said Wesley.

Farm Credit invests in farmers and rural communities because they recognize just how much farmers bring to the table—literally.  Thanks to them, families like the Mewborns have the chance to chase their dreams and become first-generation farmers.

“I’m excited for us to be here and farming because that’s what I’ve always wanted to do-- that and raise our kids here,” Robin said. “I love the freedom of it. They can come [to the farm] and learn.”

Being able to do that is special for Robin, as she has fond memories of being picked up from school by her mom to go spend time on the farm with her dad. Now, she gets to do the same thing with her children.

Robin doesn’t just want her own children to learn about farming. She extends those lessons to her own classroom. Robin has taught in Duplin County for 16 years at the same elementary school she attended as a girl. Through Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom, Robin ensures her students are learning all about agriculture through activities like hatching chicks and raised bed gardens. One thing she hopes that her students and her own children realize is that agriculture is a vast field.

“There’s more out there than just farming—welders, electricians, truck drivers—those jobs are available. They can stay in Duplin County and do those jobs,” Robin shared.

Farming and agriculture also offer opportunities for girls too. Robin and Wesley want their daughter Macy (8) to know that “it’s not just a man’s job. There’s something for her here too.” Macy’s favorite day on the farm is when they get new baby pigs or chicks. Meanwhile, her brother, Case (4) loves all things tractor. He can tell you names, models, and colors. He also takes farm work seriously.

“When you pick him up from school, it’s ‘my daddy needs me to check the chicken alarm, or my daddy needs me to go to the hog houses and pump.’ He comes ups with it all on his own,” said Wesley.

In many ways Wesley and Robin farm for their children—all three of them, although you will notice only two of them are with them today. Robin and Wesley’s firstborn, Layla was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was only 3 months old. The young family went to Duke every week for treatments. At the time, they were just starting to build their chicken houses, so were not farming yet. Robin was 7 months pregnant with Macy, and Wesley had been laid off his job.In October of 2014, their first set of chickens arrived. For the Mewborns, farming was a blessing in so many ways. Not only did it provide a job for Wesley, but it allowed for more flexibility as they continued traveling with Layla for care and treatment.

Layla passed away on her fourth birthday in 2016 at Duke. She was in palliative care for two weeks prior, and Wesley was able to be there every day, something that he might not have been able to do with another job.

Today, they continue to remember Layla in all they do, including farming. Their smaller hog farm is named LMC after their three children.

Robin, Macy, Wesley, and Layla

Layla and Wesley

“In our farming day to day, we remember Layla. She is also our child. Honoring her in just naming our farm and in the day to day is a huge part of our story. She is a part of this even though she is not here, and it gives us that drive,” shared Robin.

They say when you see a cardinal, it is a visitor from heaven; every time they see a cardinal, they remember Layla. Frequently, the family will see red birds at the farm. For some, the farm is a slice of heaven on Earth, and for the Mewborns, that is especially true.

Answering Your Questions About Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) on Hog Farms

Change can be scary. At the vary least, it can raise a lot of questions. With the opportunity to implement renewable natural gas projects on some of North Carolina’s hog farms, there have been many questions raised—questions of safety, impact, and simple curiosity.

While most are excited about the opportunity for NC to become a leader in RNG, there are those that have reservations. And so, we wanted to provide answers to some frequently asked questions. Whether you are a skeptic, a sucker for new technology, a community member, a farmer, or a consumer, we hope this answers some of your queries.

FAQ’s

  • No. Ammonia levels are dependent on the number of pigs. The size of farms, nor the amount of nitrogen on the farm is changing.

  • No it doesn't. Farmers will still be fertilizing crops with wastewater. However, GHG and other farm emissions will be reduced and treatment and storage capacity will be enhanced. The lagoon/sprayfield system is still highly regulated, designed by university professors, and is non-discharge. Learn more about lagoons and spray fields here.

  • Covering lagoons will decrease odor as the emissions from the breakdown of manure will be removed from the farm.

  • Farmers have long been the adopters of innovation. RNG is the next innovative frontier. RNG allows farmers to add another source of income that mitigates manure management costs, while being better stewards of the environment.

  • No. Biogas is the only thing that will leave the farms.

  • The biogas that will be transported through the gathering lines is 30-40% CO2, which is what is in a fire extinguisher. In addition, the pressure in the gathering lines will be very low, less than what is in a car tire. In these conditions, the gas is not explosive.

  • No. The only thing being added is digesters.

  • No new hog farms have been allowed to be built in NC since 1997. RNG does not change this. A modification to current Swine Permits are required to build RNG on existing farms.

  • No. DEQ found that the Swine Permit "did not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin on its face, in its implementation, by its impact, or in any other way." In addition, digesters and RNG are good for the environment as described, so any impacts would be positive.

  • Simply, they have. You can see a map of these farms here. In addition, farmer’s participation is voluntary. As farmers chose to participate, they will apply for permits, and their choice to participate will be known.

  • We think there are different reasons for opposing this innovative technology. 1) people may have misconceptions about RNG. We're trying to provide answers and information to put those misconceptions to rest. 2) Sometimes people just want to be critical and would love it if pig farmers didn't exist.

  • Yes! A recent survey showed that residents strongly support RNG programs

Truth, be damned: Demographics of who lives near NC hog farms

You’ve heard us say it many times before — repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it. The Fayetteville Observer is the latest media outlet to fall victim to spreading false allegations about North Carolina’s hog farms and the people who live near them with no regard for the facts.

In a recent story about the opposition to renewable natural gas projects, the Observer repeats a long-debunked claim from activist: that hog farms “are located in or around communities made up of mostly Black, Hispanic or Latino and Native American people."

It’s a claim that fits neatly into the narrative of environmental racism, but there’s one small problem: it’s simply not true.

The state’s four leading hog producing counties are Sampson, Duplin, Bladen and Wayne counties. Click on the links and take a look at the demographics of those communities. A majority of the population is white.

In Sampson and Duplin counties, the state’s two largest hog producing counties and the communities closest to the Align RNG project, white residents outnumber black residents by a margin of nearly 2-to-1. 

This data is consistent with a study commissioned several years ago by the NC Pork Council to examine the demographics around every permitted hog farm in the state. The study found that 68% of hog farms in North Carolina are in areas where black residents make up 30 percent or fewer of the population.

The chart below shows who lives near our hog farms:

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We shared this information with the reporter, to no avail. NC Farm Families will continue sharing the facts about our farms and highlighting the proven environmental benefits of biogas projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and general renewable energy.