Next Gen Ag: First Generation Farmers Seek Generational Impact on the Farm

By Taylor Harris

Starting out as a first-generation farmer takes a lot of hard work, patience and faith. Gerald & Ali Conrad embody all of these characteristics each day on their farm in King. Growing up in an agriculturally based family, Gerald was born with ag in his veins. Ali, however, married into the world of agriculture, and neither of them have looked back since.

As a child, Gerald remembers hearing stories from his parents about their jobs in ag research, as well as helping them on their fresh cut flower farm. “Both my mom and dad worked for many years at NC State University in Ag Research,” he said. “Not only did I learn many things about agriculture from their stories, but I also gained ag experience at a young age by helping on the farm. In fact, the summer before my senior year of college, I took over the farm from them and ran it myself.” Gerald’s parents grew a variety of annual and perennial flowers that they sold to the local florists. Today, they continue to grow a few around their farm on a smaller scale. While he was in high school, Gerald met Ali who would become his wife. Although Ali didn’t grow up in the agriculture industry, she developed a passion for it through Gerald’s involvement on the farm. “I never realized how important agriculture truly is until I met Gerald and saw his passion,” she said. “Without agriculture, the world would stop turning. To know that I get to be a part of something so vital to survival while working alongside the person that I love, is a true blessing.”

In 2021, Gerald and Ali started to put together ideas for their farm, Sunset Acres, while they were still finishing up their degrees; they eventually landed in King, NC where they lease a century farm. “We are first-generation livestock farmers,” Gerald said. “My family may have raised me in horticulture, but Ali and I are the first generation to take up raising livestock.” While he was studying Livestock and Poultry Management at N.C. State University in the Agricultural Institute, Gerald took a beef management class that changed his perspective on his future in agriculture. “I blame where we are today on Professor Johnny Rogers,” Gerald jokes. “Professor Rogers was the one who taught me all about beef cattle management, but also gave me the idea for raising meat sheep.” After graduating college and interning with several livestock farms and operations, including the NC Cattlemen’s Association, Gerald took a leap of faith and purchased 120 meat sheep to launch Sunset Acres Farm. Today, Gerald and Ali have grown to nearly 400 meat sheep on the farm!

A typical day on the farm varies from season to season for Gerald and Ali. In addition to working on the family farm, Ali also works with CAPTRUST in Raleigh. Each morning, the couple will feed the sheep, check their health, and feed the guardian animals together before Ali goes to work. Gerald’s days are often project-based depending on time of year, but can include anything for rotational grazing, lambing season, checking for parasites, or mending fences. “Each season on the farm is different and unique,” he said. “The spring is lambing season, which gets very busy for both Ali and I. No matter what time of year it is, this farm takes a lot of dedication and hard work.” Gerald and Ali also work with border collies as herding dogs on the farm throughout the year. “We are truly blessed as first-generation farmers,” Ali said. “There is a couple who has a dairy farm right down the road from us that have helped us tremendously through this year, as well as other ag industry contacts that we can always rely on. We couldn’t do any of this without those individuals who are always willing to lend a helping hand.”

In the future, the couple hopes to grow their sheep flock to a profitable enough size that Ali can come work on the farm full time. “I really love working with the animals, so me being able to work alongside Gerald and help sustain our livelihood is a goal of ours.” she said. “I would also love to see the farm continue to grow in quantity and diversity of livestock so that one day we can pass it on to our future kids and family.” Even though they are first-generation farmers, Gerald and Ali both see Sunset Acres Farm as something that will continue through the generations of their family and impact many along the way.

In addition to their youth and innovative ideas, Gerald and Ali bring many skills and talents to the table. “Working with so many agricultural businesses through high school and college has given me a plethora of contacts across the industry that will help me in the future,” Gerald said. “Not only that, but these are people that I can help in return.” Gerald also has extensive knowledge in other areas of livestock, including pigs, cattle and chickens. Ali is proficient in finances and technology, which makes this couple a power team for the agriculture industry.

Although they love many aspects of working in agriculture, Gerald and Ali enjoy different things around the farm. Ali enjoys lambing season, saying “not only are the lambs adorable, but it’s very rewarding to see our hard work come to fruition with the newborn lambs running around the field. Then throughout the whole next year, we get to watch those lambs grow up and become moms themselves.” Gerald added, “every now and then you’ll get five minutes to just sit and watch the sheep graze with no problems in sight. Those five minutes of quiet and peace make it all worth it.”

For anyone seeking a career in the agriculture industry, or looking to start their own farming operation, Gerald and Ali remind you to take your time, consider all the options and figure out where your heart truly is. “You have to want it to your core. If you don’t commit everything that you have to it, you won’t make it,” Gerald said. “It’s hard work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Be ready to sacrifice some things to get what you truly desire.” In Ali’s words, “be ready for the rollercoaster. Rely on your faith. Fully dive into it and commit.” We are so proud of all that Gerald and Ali are doing to further our state’s livestock industry. It’s an honor to watch them grow and see where the future will continue to take them!