Smyrna, Georgia, once a relatively unknown small town, has experienced remarkable growth thanks to its flourishing chicken industry. Situated 18 miles from Atlanta and easily accessible via the Western and Atlantic and Atlanta Northern Interurban railways, Smyrna now boasts a population of over 1,000 residents, significantly up from just 300 a little over a decade ago.
The foundation of this rapid development is Belmont Farm, renowned for its premium poultry and exceptional egg production. Located just half a mile north of Smyrna, this celebrated farm is recognized as the finest poultry operation in the Southern United States. Its reputation extends across the country, attracting chicken enthusiasts who value the high-quality products offered by Belmont Farm.
The growth of Smyrna is intricately woven with the success of Belmont Farm, with approximately 95 percent of the town’s residents drawn to the area by the allure of sustainable chicken farming. Prior to Belmont’s establishment, Smyrna was merely a stop along the railroad, lacking significant attractions, but with the chicken industry flourishing, it has evolved into a thriving community.
Loring Brown, the manager of Belmont Farm, has played a pivotal role in this transformation. With a lifetime dedicated to the poultry industry, Mr. Brown’s expertise is widely recognized in the field. His passion for chickens coupled with his meticulous attention to breeding and animal husbandry has turned Belmont Farm into a powerhouse of poultry production.
Originally, the land where Belmont Farm now stands was poor and depleted. Mr. Brown’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the purchase of the land from Col. Wight at $100 an acre and subsequently to Mr. Morris for $75 an acre three years later. Despite its unpromising condition, Mr. Brown foresaw the land’s potential and guaranteed the sale of plots within three years at $300 per acre. His foresight materialized as families from cotton-producing states migrated to Smyrna, transforming the worn fields into a vibrant agricultural hub.
Currently, Belmont Farm encompasses 36 acres and operates efficiently with over 3,000 laying hens. The layout is carefully designed to maximize productivity while ensuring the well-being of the birds. The main chicken house, noted for its scientific construction, provides optimal conditions for the fowls, allowing sunlight and ventilation to permeate all areas.
Visitors to Belmont Farm are often struck by the diversity and quality of its poultry. The farm boasts a variety of breeds including prize-winning White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and Indian Runner ducks. Mr. Brown attributes the farm’s success to rigorous selection in the breeding process, aiming for prime egg production and health, while also enhancing the birds’ aesthetic qualities.
Mr. Brown’s commitment to excellence is evident in his accolades; he has won over $10,000 in poultry show prizes in the last ten years, even emerging victorious against stiff competition at major shows like the one in St. Louis, where he showcased 53 birds and secured 38 ribbons. His passion for poultry extends beyond mere business; he genuinely enjoys nurturing the birds, viewing them as companions.
Belmont Farm’s operations extend to extensive incubator systems, where twenty large machines hatch thousands of eggs annually, primarily during the hatching season from January to April. After hatching, the chicks are nurtured in a heated brooder house until they are two months old, after which they are transferred to colony houses with free access to outdoor spaces and plenty of alfalfa for their growth. This method not only ensures high survival rates but also produces superior birds that contribute to the farm’s reputation.
The farm produces significant quantities of eggs, with sales exceeding $8,000 in the previous year alone. One notable client purchased $3,000 worth of eggs, demonstrating the demand for Belmont Farm’s poultry products across the United States. Each season’s hatching sets are priced affordably, allowing newcomers to benefit from Mr. Brown’s deep well of knowledge and experience in chicken rearing.
As interest in Belmont Farm continues to grow, Mr. Brown is planning to augment his operations by expanding both incubator and brooder capacities, satisfying increasing demand and pursuing opportunities for further growth in Smyrna. Beyond agriculture, the influence of Smith Farm has positively impacted the local economy—transforming Smyrna from an inconsequential stop into a burgeoning community, thriving on the fruitful chicken industry.
In conclusion, the story of Smyrna’s development vividly illustrates the vital role that agriculture, specifically poultry farming, can play in community growth. As Belmont Farm flourishes under the adept management of Loring Brown, Smyrna stands as a testament to the transformative power of the chicken industry.
Beyond being simply a food source, chickens have effectively laid the foundation for a prosperous town, reaffirming the belief that sometimes, success can indeed spring from the most unexpected places.
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