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Mother hen
As the owner and operator of Manchester Farms, the nation’s oldest quail producer, Brittney Miller oversees all aspects of a modern agribusiness, while staying true to traditional husbandry practices her father followed—no hormones, no antibiotics, premium feed and “a whole lot of love.”
Photo by Mic Smith
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A bird in the hand
Manchester Farms raises about 4 million quail a year, but owner-operator Brittney Miller still smiles every time she sees hatchlings emerge from their spotted eggs.
Photo by Mic Smith
Brittney Miller
Age: 46.
Occupation: Owner and operator of Manchester Farms, the nation’s oldest quail producer.
Hometown: Sumter.
Alma mater: Clemson University, where she earned a degree in poultry science, naturally.
Favorite way to enjoy quail: “I love them grilled. It takes 10 minutes.”
Co-op connections: Her family and the farms are served by Black River Electric Cooperative and Tri-County Electric Cooperative.
When Brittney Miller took over Manchester Farms from her father in 2005, it was the culmination of a childhood dream. She understood from an early age that she would carry on her father’s legacy running what is now the oldest quail farm in the nation.
“I remember walking the barns with my dad in the mornings, knowing this farm would be part of my adult life,” Miller says. “My dad is someone who went against the grain from the beginning and now it’s a trend … to know what you’re eating and to have a connection to it and how it was raised.”
The farm humanely raises roughly 4 million quail a year under her direction, priding itself on producing healthy birds that are free of hormones and antibiotics. With consumers paying more attention to the quality of their food, Manchester Farms birds are in demand all over the country by top-tier restaurants from New York to Las Vegas.
“We give our flock the best care, the best feed and a whole lot of love so they can live a happy, healthy life,” she says. “It’s not the cheapest way to raise birds, but we feel it’s what’s best for our flock. It’s been great to continue our husbandry program the way my dad started it.”
A self-described “mother hen,” Miller enjoys mastering all the challenges of running a modern agribusiness that stays true to the family tradition.
“Being a farmer isn’t easy,” she says, “but when you’re surrounded with others who share the same passion you do, it sure is special.”