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.