Meet Our Farmers
Mike Nissly
A Heritage Approach to Farming, Family, and the Future
On a quiet stretch of land in Washingtonboro, Pennsylvania, you’ll find Mike Nissly and his family on a picturesque farm called RiverviewFarms. Mike’s story is rooted in hard work and dedication, but it’s also one of transformation, hope, and leadership in a changing agricultural landscape.
While there are several farmers in Mike’s family and in his wife Nancy’s, the couple didn’t inherit this farm like many have for generations in Central Pennsylvania. The couple bought the property at a young age and have transformed it over the years growing crops, running a dairy, and raising chickens. In addition to all the work on the farm, Mike also manages and works on a neighboring grass-fed Angus beef cattle farm and also runs a catering operation on the weekends.
For Mike, the shift to raising pasture-raised heritage chickens for LaBelle Patrimoine wasn’t just a new chapter—it was a lifeline. “When we sold the dairy cows in 2018, we needed something that could help sustain the farm,” he explains. “Raising all-natural chickens on pasture helped turn things around financially. It was one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made.”
Much smaller than conventional operations, Mike has the capacity to raise up to 65,000 and 70,000 birds on his farm. He implements practices that prioritize the health of the animals, the land, and the people who enjoy the final product. “These birds are a pleasure to raise,” he says. “They’re calmer, prettier, and healthier than conventional chickens. Their mortality is incredibly low, much lower than the conventional birds, even as low as one percent, which is unheard of in commercial operations.” But it’s not just about numbers or performance. For Mike, it’s about doing things the right way. “Consumers want to know their chickens were raised humanely, with care, and on pasture. That’s exactly what we’re doing. And more and more, this is the direction the industry is heading.”
Mike has become a trusted leader in the LaBelle Patrimoine network, welcoming other farmers in the area to the fold. What sets LaBelle apart? “It’s the way Mike Charles, founder and CEO of LaBelle Patrimione, works with us. It’s a partnership, not a corporate hierarchy. He listens. It’s farming with a handshake.”Sustainability is also at the heart of Mike’s operation. From no-till practices and terracing to planting over 120 trees and building a manure shed to protect local waterways, his commitment to the land runs deep. And it is a legacy he and his wife, Nancy, plan to pass down to his children and grandchildren someday.
When asked what success looks like, Mike doesn’t hesitate: “It’s not having to leave the farm to make ends meet. More time at my cabin. More time with my family. And knowing I’m raising food that’s truly better for everyone. And, Nancy will say raising chickens for LaBelle Patrimione has alleviated a lot of stress.” Mike Nissley is proof that there is a better way to farm. And with LaBelle Patrimoine, he is proving that this approach to raising heritage, slower-grown chickens on pasture is not only possible but also profitable.
George Mann
From a Summer Job to a Life’s Calling
“These birds are athletes. They’re constantly moving, healthier, and a better product all around.” -George Mann
Nestled in rural Lancaster County sits Mann Farms, a scenic mix of rolling fields, wooded conservation acreage, and historic 1700s barns and houses that have witnessed centuries of agricultural life. Today, farmer George Mann carries forward that legacy as the caretaker of both his land and over 100,000 LaBelle Patrimoine heritage chickens.
Though George’s family has owned farmland in the area since 1764, he grew up in Philadelphia. Every summer, he returned to the farm—and what began as a summertime job eventually became his lifelong career. He purchased the farm from his great-uncle’s estate and expanded it into a thriving, diversified operation. Today, Mann Farms includes:
Four free-range chicken houses that each house 25,000+ chickens
300+ tillable acres including fields of corn, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco
29 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)-protected wooded acres
A winding creek and additional conservation areas
Two trusted employees, Robert Burkholder and Brent Burkholder—a father-and-son team—work alongside George to keep everything running.
Finding LaBelle Patrimoine: A Partnership That Changed Everything
After 25 years of raising conventional poultry, George was ready for something different. “I’d known about Mike Charles for years,” he says. “I eventually made the switch to growing the heritage breed that LaBelle Patrimoine is known for, and it’s been a really good move.”
He says the difference in bird health was immediate. “The genetics are better. These birds are heartier, stronger, and slower-growing. No health problems like I had before with other breeds.”
George describes the birds as “athletes”—constantly exploring, active, and eager to head outside at first light.
And for him, taste matters too. “It’s the best chicken people have ever tasted. I can take pride in recommending such a high-quality, flavorful bird.”
A Better Way of Farming
Leaving an extensive integrator brought relief. “The stress factor is gone, I don’t feel like I’m dealing with a giant bureaucracy, and the communication with the LaBelle Patrimoine team is clear.”
He says the economics align with his philosophy:
Better quality = better return
Stronger bird health = less stress
Fair compensation for craftsmanship
A company that values its growers
“In agriculture, many things have gone down since 2021. Focusing on growing quality over quantity helps compensate for that. Raising these hearty, healthy birds is truly a viable solution, especially since there is more and more consumer demand for them.”
Looking Forward
While George is currently busy with his four chicken houses, he’s not ruling out expansion, stating that he’d like to grow and has the ability and experience to do so. For now, he remains committed to raising the healthiest, highest-quality birds possible, the exclusive breed chickens that reflect the values of both his farming heritage and LaBelle Patrimoine’s mission.
John Lapp
A True Family Heritage
John and his family have been raising organic chickens since 2000, truly making his farm in Ephrata, Pennsylvania a family affair. John has been working with Mike Charles for the past six years, and when Labelle Patrimoine was launched in 2020, John was one of the first farmers to begin raising Red Heritage birds.
John says, "These chickens are more active, healthier, and beautiful than all other breeds.” John enjoys spending sun-filled days watching his flock foraging in his green pastures.
He enjoys raising the LaBelle Patrimoine chickens because the birds are more hardy and definitely more entertaining to watch! They move more, are more lively, and display more personality. They keep the litter in better shape versus a more "commercial" bird.
Embracing A Heritage Breed
Jeff started raising turkeys in 1992 and in 2004 he built a second barn. He then converted both barns over to chicken barns in 2006 when an opportunity arose to raise LaBelle Patrimoine chickens. Jeff jumped at the chance and has been raising them ever since.
He enjoys raising the LaBelle Patrimoine chickens because the birds are more hardy and definitely more entertaining to watch! They move more, are more lively, and display more personality. They keep the litter in better shape versus a more "commercial" bird.
Jeff Snyder
Kenny Barley
Honoring the Land and Birds
Kenny Barley is a fourth-generation farmer in central Pennsylvania, raising heritage, pasture-raised chickens for LaBelle Patrimoine (LBP). Rooted in a family legacy dating back to 1947, Kenny and his wife manage the farm as a team, blending tradition with a passion for sustainable, humane farming.
He is inspired to raise happy, healthy birds and demonstrate to the world that this is a more sustainable, better way to farm. For Kenny, farming is about honoring animals, stewarding the land, and providing consumers with food they can feel good about—grown with care, integrity, and purpose.