Stockdale Farms Combines Cattle, Crops & Innovation To Sustain a Thriving Multi-Generational Operation
By Jackie Edmondson, Manager of Marketing and Member Services
At Stockdale Farms in Munford, generations of the Duke family have built a legacy rooted in hard work, resilience, and a deep respect for the land. The farm, owned and operated by Erin Duke and her father, Mike, stretches across 4,000 acres within a 25-mile radius and includes 1,800 head of cattle, row crops, and a growing retail beef business.
The farm’s history dates back to 1948, when Erin’s great-grandparents, Lewis Sr. and Jennie Duke, purchased the property once owned by Dr. John Stockdale, a physician during the Civil War. At the time, the property consisted of 110 acres and a plantation house that still stands today. Erin’s grandfather, C.L. Duke, now lives in the family home, and at 83 years old, he continues to deliver grain and help tend a portion of the herd.
What began with 8 dairy cattle has evolved into a successful Black Angus cattle operation. In 1998, C.L and Mike began transitioning the herd from mixed cattle to Black Angus after building relationships with prominent Angus breeders.
“The success of Stockdale Farms has grown mostly on the shoulders of my father,” Erin said. “He and my grandfather started the row crops and the commercial cattle side of our business.”
Today, the Dukes maintain a closed herd, which means no cattle are brought in from private sales, auctions, or other farms.
“We don’t purchase any of our cattle,” Erin said. “Every head we have is born and raised right here on our farm. Everything they eat is grown here, too. The cattle only consume a couple of products necessary for animal health that are not homegrown.”
The cattle operation undergoes regular audits to maintain its high-quality certifications to be classified as Natural Black Angus Beef.
“They are very thorough,” she said of the auditors. “They examine the cattle, the pastures, and the feed. They interview employees about our standards and operating practices. It really makes us confident in the product we can supply. People are becoming increasingly aware that they should know where their food comes from. This is just another way, another promise we can make, that says we care about the land, we care about our cattle, and we care about the product we produce.”
The attention to detail has helped Stockdale Farms establish a reputation for premium beef. In 2021, Mike and Erin launched Stockdale Beef Company, a retail operation offering steaks, roasts, ground beef, stew meat, and ribs. She said all the cattle sold are humanely and sustainably raised without hormones or antibiotics.
“Happy cattle are fat cattle, and fat cattle cared for the right way provide exquisite beef,” Erin said. “It’s paramount that we maintain a happy, stress-free environment for our herd.”
The beef produced at Stockdale Farms has reached some notable destinations, like the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, a steakhouse at Disney World, and the VIP suites at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
“Knowing our beef is served in places of this caliber is incredibly humbling,” she said. “It’s proof that we are doing right by our cattle and the land every single day.”
Customers can purchase products directly from the farm through an online store at www.eatstockdalebeef.com. Erin said the family also plans to expand sales to farmers' markets.
Never known to shy away from hard work, the Dukes have embarked on other agribusinesses, including Stockdale Farms Fertilizer and Farm Supply, which offers a selection of fence supplies, livestock feeds, and supplies, as well as custom blend fertilizer and chemicals. They also own and operate a commercial fertilizer application company.
“The farm supply and fertilizer application companies go hand-in-hand,” Erin said. “The goal is the same – helping agriculture succeed in our community, no matter the size.”
In addition to cattle, the Dukes grow corn, wheat, and soybeans. Corn harvest begins in August and often stretches into late September. Soybeans are harvested in mid- to late November, while wheat harvest depends heavily on weather conditions but typically spans the first 3 weeks of June.
“There have been years that we were harvesting wheat and picking corn at the same time,” Erin said. “Harvest season is as long or short as the weather allows.”
During harvest season, the workdays can be grueling. The farm operates 7 days a week, year-round, with normal workdays typically from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but harvest season of§ extends far beyond that.
“When we are harvesting corn, it isn’t unusual for me and my dad to be unloading grain trucks at 10 p.m. so that we are ready for the next day,” she said.
1 recent wheat season, the family and crew worked 42 consecutive days before rain finally forced a much-needed break.
“It was a blessing because we were getting sick of each other,” she said with a laugh. “Long hours can make people irritable, but working long hours is sometimes part of the job.”
Stockdale Farms employs 17 people, including equipment operators, farm hands, and cattlemen. Erin said versatility is critical on a working farm.
“While we do have specialized employees, most of them are trained in various different skills,” she said.
The farm’s employees are deeply committed to the work, Erin said.
“We have an incredible crew here,” she said. “They show up when they are needed, no questions asked. They understand the importance of what we do, and they don’t take it lightly. We are incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people who take pride in feeding the world for a living.”
Erin also loves her job. The 4th-generation farmer said agriculture was not always part of her plan. After graduating from Munford High School in 2006, she attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in management. She later worked in commercial construction and aerospace before returning home in 2013.
“My mom and grandmother were both sick at the time,” she said. “My father called me and said he needed help. I turned in my notice the next day and was working on the farm 2 weeks later. I never looked back.”
Returning to the farm ultimately became about preserving a family legacy.
“The legacy of this farm is important to me,” she said. “My family has always worked so hard to build it to what it is today.”
Across the country, family farms continue to face mounting pressure. According to USDA data, the number of family farms declined by nearly 159,000 from 2017 to 2022 due to economic pressures, land costs, succession challenges, and competition from large agribusiness. However, family-owned farms still account for approximately 95 percent of all farms in the United States, according to the Economic Research Service.
“Family farms are becoming few and far between,” Erin said. “That’s why it’s so important for families like ours to keep going. Agriculture is the backbone of this country, and family farms still play a huge role in feeding America and preserving the land.”
She said the biggest challenge small family farms face is keeping up with the rapid technological advancements.
“Farmers are doing a lot with drones now, like weed control, herbicide application, and planting seeds,” she said.
GPS-guided tractors, variable-rate application systems, soil sensors, and yield mapping software have also become common tools on the farm.
“There are a lot of benefits that come with technology,” she said. “But, I believe we still need people and boots on the ground.”
Reliable utilities play a major role in keeping the farm running efficiently. Stockdale Farms is a customer of Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, Coosa Valley Propane, and Coosa Valley Technologies.
“The service from all 3 companies cannot be beat,” Erin said. “We have so much that we do that requires dedicated power, like freezers for the beef company, grain bins, irrigation systems, and pumps for well water for cattle. Having dependable local companies behind us helps keep everything moving forward and gives us peace of mind when there’s work to be done.
During corn harvest, propane becomes especially important. The farm relies on propane-powered dryers to properly condition grain before storage and sale.
“It’s important to dry, cool, clean, and then manage stored grains so that it remains safe and marketable,” she said. “We lose a lot of money if we can’t condition our grain. We appreciate that Coosa Valley Propane makes agriculture a priority. They understand the importance of farming.”
Internet service is also an essential tool in modern agriculture. Reliable connectivity from Coosa Valley Technologies supports business operations and communication with buyers, suppliers, and customers.
“So much of agriculture now depends on technology and real-time information,” she said. “We rely on internet service for equipment data, grain markets, weather monitoring, and even communicating with customers through our retail business. Good internet is no longer a luxury for farms. It’s a necessity.”
Despite the long days and constant demands, Erin said farming offers a sense of fulfillment few other professions can match.
“It’s peaceful watching something grow,” she said. “We spend a lot of time raising cattle and cultivating crops. It’s nice to see the time spent flourish from start to finish.”