About Us
We’re James and Renae, along with our four boys — a first-generation farm family based in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Panther Branch Farms grew out of a desire to build a life rooted in the land, to raise our children close to where their food comes from, and to serve our community with honesty and care.
Renae is a former nurse. After COVID, she made the decision to step away from healthcare and focus on raising our boys and feeding our family well. That shift led us to look more closely at our food — how it’s grown, how it’s handled, and who we trust to produce it. In the summer of 2024, we began milking our first cow for our own household. When we had extra milk, we shared it with family and friends. Before long, it became clear there was strong demand for raw milk right here in our community.
Behind the scenes, James and our four boys manage the hay and forage side of the farm. Panther Branch Farms actually began with hay — James started by growing and processing dry hay for local cattle owners. Over time, that expanded into fermented baleage and, soon, silage. His focus has always been the same: producing high-quality, locally grown feed so cattle can thrive without relying on grain full-time.
Today, our farm includes a small herd of dairy cows — primarily Jerseys — along with a small herd of Black Angus beef cattle. We also raise laying hens. The products we currently offer include raw milk herdshares, raw pet milk, fresh eggs, and hay and baleage for livestock.
Everything we do is hands-on, from milking to bottling to feeding, and every decision is guided by one question: Is this the kind of food we’d want for our own family?
We’re proud to say the answer is always yes.
Meet Our Herd
Our dairy herd consists of seven cows, most of them Jerseys. They spend their days on pasture, grazing and moving regularly to fresh grass.
At milking time, they receive a Non-GMO dairy ration made at a local feed mill. During the fall and winter months, they have access to hay and baleage that we grow ourselves.
We take milk handling and cleanliness seriously. Our milk is tested weekly for coliform and aerobic plate counts, and we perform routine mastitis screening. Our own family drinks the milk from our cows daily, and there’s always excitement when there’s enough extra to make butter or yogurt at home.
Each animal is known by name, and their health and comfort come first — always.
Pasture-Raised and Family Managed
Our cows and hens spend their days outdoors on pasture, with rotational grazing that supports animal health and soil quality.
Locally Sourced, Non-GMO Feed
When supplemental feed is needed, we use a Non-GMO ration sourced from a local feed mill, alongside forage grown on our own land.
Careful Handling & Minimal Processing
Our milk is never pasteurized or homogenized. It’s handled with care and bottled fresh, preserving the natural qualities that draw families to raw milk in the first place.
