Based in Marshall, Michigan, Chism Chicken Ranch LLC raises true pasture-raised poultry centered on animal welfare, daily rotation, and complete transparency. As an emerging small-scale family farm, we are actively seeking dedicated farmland or long-term land partnerships in Southwest Michigan. Sourcing land will allow us to sustainably expand our footprint, build permanent infrastructure, and scale our pastured poultry production for our local community.
Preferred location: Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Kalamazoo
Desired Transitional Agreement: Farm Seeker/Farm Owner Partnership, Lease, Lease to buy, Sale, Mentorship, Working arrangement with future partner
Oct 16, 2026
Desired Acreage
- 5-10 Acres
- 11-25 Acres
- 26-100 Acres
Desired Land Usage
Goals, Values, Vision
Short-Term Goal: Connect with a like-minded landowner or agricultural partner—with a strong preference for Southwest Michigan while remaining open to surrounding areas—to secure dedicated pasture space. Having a stable piece of land allows us to build moveable shelter infrastructure, expand our seasonal pasture rotation, and reliably raise small batches of clean poultry.
Long-Term Goal: Build a permanent, family-owned home for Chism Chicken Ranch where we can continue expanding our rotational grazing operations. Whether rooted in SW Michigan or growing into surrounding communities, we aim to be a dependable local food hub that gives back to our neighbors, supports ag youth, and proves that farming can be done with complete heart, ethics, and transparency.
Values
- Pasture-Raised the Right Way: We believe animals belong outdoors on fresh grass, in the sun, with fresh air and compassionate daily care. No crowding, no shortcuts, and no corporate gimmicks.
- Community First, Always: Farming isn't just a business to us-it's about feeding our neighbors, supporting local feed suppliers, backing 4-H & clubs for kids, and keeping real food grown locally.
- Open-Door Transparency: We operate with total honesty so families know exactly how their food was raised, what it ate, and who cared for it from start to finish.
- Land Stewardship & Respect: Rotational pasture grazing leaves the ground healthier than we found it. We honor the land, the livestock, and the community that relies on US.
- Visionl
- To establish a lasting, community-rooted farm with a natural anchor in Southwest Michigan-while staying open to surrounding regions-alongside partners who share a vision for real food, animal welfare, and local stewardship.
- We want to work with landowners who value seeing the land cared for and communities fed well over bottom-line profits, building a legacy of ethical farming together wherever the right opportunity takes root.
Farming Status
Current Farming Status
Full Time, Part Time, Current active business plan
Farm Experience/Education
Farm owner
Mentoring
I am seeking mentorship, I am willing to mentor a farmer
Farming Plans and Practices
Farming Method
Organic Practices
At Chism Chicken Ranch, we raise meat birds using chemical-free, regenerative
management practices designed to build soil health while prioritizing animal welfare. From spring through fall, our flock is housed in mobile tractor shelters that are moved daily onto fresh pasture. This daily move gives the birds continuous access to clean forage, insects, and natural sunlight, while evenly spreading manure to naturally fertilize the soil without synthetic chemicals, herbicides, or artificial fertilizers.
We practice low-density rotational grazing to give every bird ample space to move naturally.
By maintaining strict biosecurity, clean field rotations, and daily human care, we support flock health naturally—eliminating the need for routine antibiotics or medications. We pair our pasture forage with locally sourced feed from nearby elevators, creating a closed-loop, transparent farming system that improves the land with every season.
