Tradition Continues WITH

Room To Grow

By Maria N. Listman

Sussex County, DE

Amanda grew up on the family farm, where she and Josh now operate their business. Her parents own Burnite Mill Show Pigs and growing up, she developed a deep appreciation for swine. Her passion for the species inspired her to earn her Masters Degree from Virginia Tech in Animal Science with a concentration in Swine Reproductive Physiology.

Josh is a sixth-generation farmer and diesel mechanic who works on his family’s farm in Greenwood. They grow small grain, and his family tills up to 800 acres in the area.

Together, they work on each other’s family farms while holding down full-time jobs.

Burnite Mill Meats was conceptualized during the pandemic, when locals reached out to purchase food. Amanda’s family never offered cuts of meat to the public before, until it became a serious need. She and Josh quickly realized that they had a viable business on their hands, so they went all in.

They now own and operate Burnite Mill Meats in the town of Felton, a main thoroughfare to Delaware beaches. They raise cattle and hogs on Amanda’s family farm—one that originally belonged to her grandparents. Their business is named after the road it sits upon, and to show appreciation to family.

As Farmers on the Rise winners, Josh and Amanda have great plans to expand their meat business. Drilling a well and installing an automatic watering system are immediate needs for their operation. Next, they are building a storefront to serve their community, and beach-bound visitors along the road.

“It’s been a work in progress,” says Amanda. “I’m lucky to have him to help, and he shares the same love.”

With family at the forefront, and the drive to keep Delaware agriculture thriving, there’s no stopping them.

You can follow Burnite Mill Meats on Facebook: @burnitemillmeats