Matthew Watson oral history interview, 2019 April 3
Description
Matt Watson is a third-generation cattle farmer in Chester, South Carolina. Mr. Watson, his wife, Kelly Watson, and his father run a 350 acre farm and rent an additional 80 acres. Mr. Watson describes how his grandfather, who was also a farmer, moved to South Carolina in 1979 from Indiana. He explains the evolution of the family farm in the 1980s and 1990s from row crop farming to strictly livestock farming, due in part because of the 1980s farm crisis. Mr. Watson explains that Watson Farms currently uses rotational pasture grazing for their cattle and pig herds, and traditional coop methods for turkeys and egg-laying hens. Ms. Watson reveals that they sell meat directly to consumers instead of selling at farmer's markets. She describes the day-to-day of working on the farm and how the weather affects the livestock. Ms. Watson ends the interview by discussing the farm's social media.
