Emmy Dallam Beavers is a 10th-generation farmer who was born into the business on both sides of her family. With farming in her blood, she now works alongside her husband, Lucas, and manages Homelands Poultry in Churchville.
The poultry farm was established in 2018 when Emmy returned to Maryland after graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Farm and Industry Short Course Program. Her mother, Kate Dallam, who runs Broom’s Bloom Dairy, had a vision to help Emmy remain engaged in agriculture while putting her own mark on the family legacy. The vision? Raising turkeys.
For two years, Emmy raised turkeys, learning everything she could about poultry farming. She sought advice from veteran poultry farmers, which came with a simple but powerful mantra she carries with her to this day: “Every year, something new will happen.” It was sound advice that gave her the foundation to grow her confidence in raising birds.
It wasn’t until 2020 that Emmy had her breakthrough moment and added chickens to her farm. This completely changed the game. Chickens are more profitable than turkeys and can reach butchering weight in just seven weeks compared to the months it takes for turkeys. This not only made operations more efficient but also opened up new opportunities.
However, raising and processing chickens locally came with challenges. Emmy initially traveled two hours to Gettysburg to have her turkeys butchered. It wasn’t sustainable in the long run, and with encouragement from her mother, Emmy decided to handle it herself. That’s where Lucas, her then-boyfriend, became an indispensable partner. A natural at processing, he took the reins as the head butcher. “We couldn’t have done this without Lucas. He’s truly a key player to our success,” Emmy says.
The couple ensures that the processing adheres to the highest standards. Both Emmy and Lucas took a comprehensive safety course through the Maryland Department of Agriculture, where they learned about proper safety protocols and sanitary procedures. Emmy keeps meticulous records and undergoes annual inspections to maintain compliance, ensuring that every bird meets quality and safety standards.
On the farm, Emmy raises two main types of poultry. For Thanksgiving, she offers Broad Breasted White turkeys, raising around 50 to 65 each year. These turkeys are pre-ordered by the end of September and usually sell out by mid-October. For chicken, she’s focused on the Cornish Cross breed, which is popular in the industry due to its fast growth and ability to reach processing weight in just seven weeks. In 2025, Emmy expects to raise about 1,300 chickens, with flocks of 85 to 100 birds rotating regularly.
However, raising healthy poultry comes with its challenges. One of the major threats Emmy encounters is avian flu. She takes extensive precautions to monitor the health of her birds, restricts exposure to outside individuals, and upholds strict sanitation practices in her barn.
While producing high-quality poultry is a top priority, connecting with the community is equally valuable to Emmy. Today, she sells her meats at her mom’s store at Broom’s Bloom Dairy as well as two bustling farmers markets. “My loyal customer base makes it all worthwhile. The feedback I receive at the market makes me excited to wake up and do it all over again,” she says. “Knowing your farmer means you know exactly where your food is coming from and how it’s raised.”
When customers share their gratitude for her work or offer feedback at the farmers market, Emmy is energized. It reminds her why she started Homelands Poultry and why it’s worth every ounce of effort.
Hungry for more? Read about farmers markets. Learn more about young farmers.
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