Photo courtesy of Rasnick Family Farm
By Matt de Simone
On a stretch of gently rolling hills on Old Fincastle Road, the Rasnick Family Farm is doing more than raising cattle – it’s preserving a legacy. For J.R. Rasnick, the current owner and operator of this multi-generational beef farm, farming isn’t just a livelihood; it’s family history in motion.
“We’ve been at this a while,” Rasnick said with a smile last week. “My great-grandfather started the farm back in West Virginia. They moved it to Fincastle in the 1950s, and I’m now the third generation. My boys, they’re the fourth.”
J.R.’s grandparents, George (a World War II veteran) and Gladys Rasnick, brought the farm to Fincastle in 1951. What began as a dairy farm decades ago has since evolved into a beef cattle operation, with a focus on cow/calf production and feeder steers. Rasnick Family Farm has also adapted its business model to better meet modern consumer demands. “We used to sell USDA processed beef in our on-farm store,” Rasnick explained. “Now we’ve transitioned to custom-cut beef shares – whole, halves, or quarters. It’s a great way for families to fill their freezer with local beef.”
Despite the changes in how the product gets to the customer, many of the farm’s methods remain rooted in sustainability and tradition. “We use rotational grazing when possible and do no-till planting,” Rasnick said. “But we’ll still pull out the plow if we’ve got to knock back some weeds. You do what the land tells you.”
Rasnick, who describes farming as both exhausting and rewarding, jokes about one of the field’s most unpredictable factors. “If I could add one tool to this farm, it’d be a way to control the weather,” he joked. “Since that’s not happening anytime soon, I guess we just take what we can get.”
The farm doesn’t rely on high-tech gadgets like drones or precision ag tools, a deliberate choice. “We do not use any newer technology,” J.R. added. “I find with the older ways, there is less downtime from breakdowns. In other words, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
That “hands-on” style isn’t just a nod to nostalgia – it’s practical. Traditional livestock management, Rasnick notes, allows him to monitor each animal’s health and diet daily. He can spot a sick calf fast when he’s out there every day. “That makes a big difference.”
Photos by Matt de Simone
The Rasnicks are also strong advocates for the local food movement. “For me, ‘buy fresh, buy local’ goes to the heart of what I do,” Rasnick explained. “I try to provide the best, freshest beef as possible to my customers, all grown here in Botetourt County. I encourage everyone to buy meat and produce from a local farm when possible.”
Customers are noticing. “I’ve had folks come all the way from West Virginia and North Carolina because someone recommended our beef. That says something,” Rasnick added.
Selling directly from the farm at 1217 Old Fincastle Road, Rasnick believes buying local benefits everyone. J.R. believes that when a person buys products straight from a farmer, they’re not just getting better beef. They’re helping the farmer, and the money stays within the farming community.
“We have switched from the by-the-pound beef to beef shares to fill freezers for a year,” J.R. said. “Buying bulk beef is a good way to save your family some money and have top quality food for them.”
Rasnick and his wife, Jenna, have three young sons – Everett (8), Kenny (5), and baby Aaron – already showing signs of taking to the land, though it’s too early to know if they’ll carry the mantle. “While the two oldest enjoy getting out on the farm and helping me do things, they’re still a little young to make that decision.,” J.R. shared. “Nothing would make me happier than to one day see one or all of my sons running the farm.”
The future still poses challenges for Ransick and other farming families in Botetourt. Rising land values are making it harder for family farms. He noted, “It’s more difficult for farmers or families to hold on to the land for farming when developers can cut a check for a lifetime or more of pay from farming.”
But even as obstacles mount, Rasnick is hopeful, believing that the next generation will do things differently: using tech, finding new ways; but just like Ransick today, the future generations will surely benefit from the wisdom passed down.
When asked what he wishes more people understood about farming, Rasnick doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Farming is in no way easy. We have long hours, little breaks, and virtually no days off. It is, however, a very rewarding job to know what I do will not only feed my family but many others as well. It also is not cheap to farm. Yearly input costs have gone through the roof and tractor and/or farm equipment prices are similar to buying a house these days.”
The farming culture in Botetourt County, he says, is one of connection and resilience. “It’s a close-knit community. Most of us know one another and are willing to lend a hand (to another farmer) if needed.”
Events like the Botetourt County Fair and local farmers markets, Rasnick notes, help tie that rural identity to the wider community. “Both events and/or venues allow the public to meet farmers and see their products that they otherwise would not.”
And if you’re ever wondering whether buying local makes a difference, Rasnick has a ready answer: “You won’t be disappointed. This county has some of the best farmers in the state. When you buy direct from a farm you’re getting a better-quality product, helping the farmer, and the surrounding community.” To purchase from Rasnick Family Farm, visit www.facebook.com/Beefitswhatsfordinner1 for inquiries.
Back at the farm, where fence mending, feeding, and fieldwork never stop, Rasnick recalled a particularly “Botetourt” moment for some farmers. “We participated having a float in the Fincastle Christmas Parade last year. We came back to the farm and some calves had busted out of the barn. A day that began with fun and festivities ended with chasing cattle, mending fences, and carpentry work.”
And for the Rasnicks, that’s life – hardworking, meaningful, and rooted deep in Botetourt soil.
