A FOUR GENERATION FARM

If Glenn Rodes wasn’t a turkey farmer, he’d be an engineer.

It might sound strange, but when you speak with Glenn, it’s easy to see why. His love for designing, building, and problem solving is palpable, and you can hear in his voice how thankful he is for the turkey farm that acts as an outlet for his passion. His innate sense of ingenuity and thoughtfulness can be seen across family-owned-and-operated Riverhill Farms, launched in 1949 after Glenn’s father borrowed $500 from an aunt to get things started. Four generations currently reside on the 860-acre farm located in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. It’s the same farm where Glenn was born and raised.

Traditional Techniques, Modern Technology

Over the years, Glenn has mastered the art of balancing tried-and-true techniques with the modern technology becoming more and more prevalent on farms across the U.S.

And although technology helps in terms of regulating the barns’ temperature, ventilation and lighting, the baby turkeys (poults) are fed the same way they always have been: by hand.

The Power of Independence

As an independent farmer, Glenn’s able to incorporate these types of methods and innovations into his day-to-day operations. The independence gives him the freedom to raise the turkeys that works best for his farm.

“There’s a lot of enjoyment in producing something, and at the end of the day, you can see if you’ve made something happen.”

Working alongside Glenn is his wife Sheri and other family members, from brothers and nephews, to their two daughters, to even Glenn’s own parents. “My vision for the future is to continue running as a family operation.”