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“Our 15 chicken houses are updated with
the latest electronics and automations,
everything from ventilation to lighting to Back row from left: Matthew Lowe, Eric Adams, Shirley
Lowe (Ty’s late mother), Perry Lowe IV, Katrina Lowe
feeding,” Mathis said. “We have complete and Perry Lowe III. Front row from left: Jessica Adams
control, which allows us to grow larger birds and Sarah Lowe.
in a shorter amount of time.

“In 2016, we were one of the first farms in day-a-week job for a lot of the seasons, but
North Carolina to supply our poultry house they seem to love it and we’re grateful for it.”
energy needs completely from solar energy
panels.” Mathis added. While the family farm lifestyle may not be
We’re driven by the need for everyone, it’s good to know that Wilkes
To sustain their success, these farm to fulfill customers’ desires. County is still a place where hard work,
operations have sought to develop the next Customers want a firm, juicy commitment, resilience and adaptability
generation of farmers. Although it may apple across a lot of different are valued.
seem like a monumental task to raise kids
in today’s world who don’t mind waking taste profiles – we try to The Mathis family has also allowed each
up early and getting a little dirt under their provide that with the generation to put their aptitudes to use. Luke
fingernails, Brenda Blake says you simply variety we grow. Mathis runs the business side of the farm,
have to involve kids early on. while his brother Jordan runs the day-to-day
Ty Lowe - Perry Lowe Orchards operations, and their cousin Clint handles
“I think the main thing we’ve done is start the maintenance. Luke, who has three
them young,” says Brenda, noting that her children of his own, says when it’s time for
and Chad’s four sons – two of whom are At Perry Lowe Orchards, Katrina Lowe says his kids to decide on a career, he’ll take the
married with children – are all involved in she and Ty have pushed their four children same approach his parents took with him.
the Blake Farms operation. “They care about to use their individual skills and passions to
the land and care about what we’re doing. enhance their family run operation. “If they have the desire and passion to farm
“Even the grandchildren now, if you that’s great, but if they want to do something
ask them what they want to do when “To see them use their strengths is a blessing else that’s fine too,” Mathis said. “If you try
the grow up, they’ll say ‘be a farmer,’” and if they didn’t love it, there’s no way it to make someone do something they don’t
she adds proudly. would work,” Katrina reflects. “It’s a seven- want to do, they won’t be successful.”

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