MITCHELL — Vital Farms is expanding its footprint in Indiana with a major commitment, including the establishment of its first company-owned farm in Lawrence County later this year. The new facility, located on 50 acres in Mitchell, is set to house approximately 20,000 pasture-raised hens and will serve as a hub for innovation in sustainable agriculture.
The Mitchell farm is a key part of a larger $250 million investment by Vital Farms in Indiana, which also includes a new egg-washing and packing facility planned for Seymour, expected to be completed in 2027.
While the vast majority of the company’s eggs will continue to come from its network of family farms (making up less than 5% of the overall network), the company-owned farms are described as “purpose-built spaces” dedicated to agricultural research.
The Mitchell farm’s primary role will be to act as a research hub for sustainable and regenerative farming practices. The company intends to use the site as a “playground for testing bold ideas,” including experiments to increase biodiversity and enhance forage quality. The goal is to develop and scale these innovations across all of Vital Farms’ operations.
The development of company-owned farms in Indiana and Kentucky is intended to support the company’s strategic growth. These new farms will adhere to the company’s high standards for animal welfare.
A company spokesperson highlighted the benefit to the small farming community: the company-owned sites will allow Vital Farms to innovate without asking its network of small farmers to take on the financial risk and expense of new farming experiments. The investment is also expected to support long-term community growth and bring new jobs to local towns in Indiana and Kentucky.
The new company-owned farm in Mitchell and the planned facility in Seymour underscore the company’s growing presence in Indiana, enabling it to supply more eggs to consumers.
