Our Story
Big Ivy is a family-owned farm located in Barnardsville, North Carolina, carrying on a centuries-old tradition of mountain pasture grazing that has sustained this region for generations. Founded by the Dunbar family, the farm isn’t just a livelihood—it’s a way of life rooted in respect for the land, the animal, and the people we feed.
At a time when meat has become fast, cheap, and faceless, we’re reclaiming a slower, more meaningful approach. One where quality matters more than volume. Where you can walk the pasture, see the animals, and shake the hand of the person who raised your food. We believe that food isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about trust, memory, and place. That’s why we do things the way we do, even when it takes more time, effort, and care.
Supporting Big Ivy means joining that mission. It means standing for something better. And it means putting your food dollars back into your own community—on a farm you can visit, with people you can know.
Our animals spend the majority of their lives on pasture—rotated regularly, grazing freely, and living as they were meant to. It’s slower, more labor-intensive, and better for the land.
We don’t push for maximum weight or fastest turnaround. Our animals grow at a natural pace, with plenty of space, clean water, and daily hands-on care.
We finish our animals with care to bring out the richest, most well-developed flavor possible. It’s not about shortcuts—it’s about intention. The result is meat that’s truly worth eating.
Our rotational grazing methods help rebuild soil health, reduce runoff, and support biodiversity. We see stewardship as part of the job—and the legacy.
