Turkey Farm: Keegan-Filion Farm

For nearly a century, the same family has tended the land at Keegan-Filion Farm in Walterboro, South Carolina, producing everything over the years from corn to peanuts, and beef to laying hens. In 1986, it was passed down to Annie, the great-granddaughter of the original owners, and her husband, Marc Filion, who now use the farm to raise chickens, turkeys and hogs, as well as grass-fed cattle.

Raised free range, all the animals on the farm roam as they please, feeding off the surrounding pastures. Choosing not to pump them with hormones and unnecessary antibiotics, Annie and Marc place high importance on humane treatment of the animals. “Our farm techniques are primarily geared towards their comfort and allowing them to express their natural tendencies,” says Marc Filion. “We want chickens and turkeys to eat grass and bugs. We want hogs to make wallows and root around in the field. All of this plays a big role in the quality, flavor and texture of our products.”

Though Filion notes that their meats are more expensive than those found at the grocery store—due to the higher cost of raising animals sustainably and humanely—the benefits are well worth the price. “Most animals are now raised in a factory setting with chickens, turkeys and hogs held in confinement housing where they are not able to see the light of day and are subjected to living conditions that most of us find totally unacceptable,” he says. The stress of this environment plus the unsanitary conditions—leading to an overuse of antibiotics—greatly lowers the animals’ quality of life, which also results in lower quality meat.

“Farming as most people remember it is gone,” he says. But thankfully farmers like the Filions are still dedicated to traditional techniques, caring for the animals and producing great products. Customers can experience Keegan-Filion Farm– raised meats by dining at restaurants throughout the Charleston, Beaufort and Columbia areas or by heading to the farmers’ markets in Summerville and Port Royal. The Filions also sell meat directly from the farm, which offers a home delivery service.

“The local market is the only place we can sell our products,” Filion says. “Without the support of the local area, farms like ours would close down.”

This holiday, help support our state’s farmers and order a Thanksgiving turkey directly from Keegan-Filion for a guaranteed quality meat.