Rutherford County Food Council
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 11:41 am

Hannah and Drew Horun with their daughter.

Sometimes dreams do come true on a first date. Hannah and Drew Horun hit it off on their first date three years ago when they bonded over their love of animals and farming, which led them to establish Horun Family Homestead in Rutherfordton, NC. On 20 acres with their small family, they raise their own chickens, ducks, and a dairy cow with plans to add pigs and turkeys later this year.

The Horuns are self-taught, first generation farmers whose goals are to feed the community with the best quality food, reconnect customers to their sources of food, and inform individuals about the importance of rebuilding the soil. Their approach to farming is about providing the most nutrient-dense products possible using natural, regenerative farming practices. To do so, they maintain a small flock of chickens for small-batch processing, which ensures that they can provide the necessary attentive care needed for healthy, nutrient dense food. This means that they maintain a close watch on their livestock everyday, monitoring and tending to the the animals regularly. The chickens are moved across the pasture on a regular basis under the protection of a chicken tractor so that they can naturally forage for insects and grass and fertilize the soil. From birth, their animals are fed a healthy diet free of soy and are never treated with hormones, vaccines, or antibiotics. Hannah uses her knowledge to create supplements using organic herbs, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Lastly, they process their chickens right on the farm using zero chemicals. This helps keep the birds' stress levels low and improves the quality of meat. Using these practices, their chicken meat and eggs are flavorful, nutrient-dense, and healthy for consumption. Customers often compliment the vibrant orange in the egg yokes.

Now that they are able to provide their family with healthy meats and eggs, they want to share their nutritious products with their neighbors and the wider community. Since moving to the area, they have connected with other local farmers who offer their vast knowledge and tricks of the trade. The Rutherford County Farmers Market provides them with an avenue to connect with neighbors and reconnect residents with their food sources and local farms. Hannah and Drew welcome questions and conversations about their farming practices, because they want customers to fully understand their process and know what they are putting into their bodies. Customers are invited to schedule a farm tour so that they can see their operations in person. Their future plans include on-farm educational opportunities and agritourism. If you are interested in learning how to process your own chickens, reach out to them to inquire about a future class!

To purchase chicken and eggs, you can find them at the Rutherford County Farmers Market in Forest City on Saturdays, order online at https://hfhomestead.com. They will begin taking orders for Thanksgiving turkeys this summer - be on the lookout for an announcement from them!