NC Farmer Helps Others Escape Factory Farming Traps

Craig Watts used to raise 30,000 chickens at a time for Perdue Farms, tapping photos of his kids on the fuse box to remind himself why he endured it. For years, he felt trapped by a system that paid him only for perfect birds while giving him little control over how he raised them.

Today, the North Carolina farmer has turned his frustration into action. Watts now directs the Contract Grower Transition program for Growers Unite, a national organization launched to help farmers considering factory farming contracts and those already caught in unfair arrangements.

The work matters because contract poultry farming often leaves farmers with debt and little power. Companies like Perdue own the chickens and control the feed, while farmers shoulder the financial risk of building expensive barns and raising the flocks.

Watts educates potential farmers about these risks before they sign contracts. For those already farming, he helps them understand their rights and explore alternatives.

His advocacy hasn't gone unnoticed. Farm Aid honored Watts with a "Spirit of Farm Aid" award in 2022 for his courage in speaking out about industry practices.

The 60-year-old still lives in the house his great-grandfather built on land that's been in his family for generations. That connection to farming heritage drives his mission to help others find sustainable, fair ways to work the land.

The Ripple Effect

Growers Unite represents a growing movement of farmers refusing to accept unfair business practices as the cost of doing business. By sharing information and supporting one another, contract farmers are finding strength in numbers.

Watts' journey from isolated contract farmer to national advocate shows how one person's willingness to speak up can create pathways for others facing similar struggles.

His message is simple: farmers deserve transparent, fair treatment from the companies they work with.

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