Justice Homestead is a pastured poultry farm tucked into a small, picturesque village in Vermont. Tyler’s homestead is the largest semi-commercial farm in the area, which makes him a key part of his local community.
We visited the homestead in October 2024 to learn more about his family, his business, and to get a firsthand look at life on the farm.
Cornish Cross Chickens Are the Heart of the Homestead
Tyler focuses on pasture-raised chicken, with Cornish Cross as his breed of choice. He favors these birds for their hardiness and how well they perform in pasture-based systems. His dedication to raising high-quality pastured poultry has earned him a strong reputation with both peers and customers.
Raising livestock on pasture is time intensive, labor heavy, and exhausting, but Tyler would not have it any other way. He has four small farmhands who are always eager to pitch in, and if you spot Tyler out in the field there is a good chance you will see a few happy kids trailing behind him.
His wife, who works full time in the medical field, is also a key player in day-to-day farm operations whenever she is able to lend a hand.
Every spring, the family transitions their poultry from the barn to pasture. To keep birds safe from predators, Tyler uses custom-built chicken tractors. These mobile coops give the chickens access to grass, sunshine, and a steady supply of bugs.
In Tyler's remote corner of Vermont, predators like coyotes, foxes, and even bears are a constant concern. Predator management is always on his mind, and he is always working on new ways to keep the flock safe.
Why Pasture Raised Matters
It would be less work to keep the chickens in the barn full time, but Tyler is committed to pasture-raised poultry. That extra effort improves the birds’ quality of life and results in more nutrient-dense, flavorful meat.
For Tyler, this is not negotiable. His farming practices are regenerative for the land and produce a product he is proud to put on the table for both his community and his own family.
Tyler's Hopes for the Future
At just 31 years old, Tyler is already an accomplished farmer and a bit of an outlier in the industry. While many farms are multi-generational operations, Justice Homestead is a first-generation farm.
Without the safety net of an established family business or decades of passed down knowledge, he has carved out his own path in a field that is inherently risky.
Partnering with Myers Poultry has been a major turning point for the homestead. By sourcing high-quality day-old chicks from Myers Poultry, Tyler has been able to streamline operations and scale in ways that were not possible before.
Efficiency and reliability are critical to his success. Working with a trusted chick hatchery allows him to stay focused on growth without lowering the standards he has set for himself.
Looking ahead, Tyler hopes to one day pass Justice Homestead on to his four young children. Even now, they take an active interest in the day-to-day work of the farm.
Tyler may be a first-generation farmer, but it feels like the start of a long-running family farm that will be part of the community for decades to come.