About Us

Our Farming Dream

Matt and Bethany’s story began when they met in 2008 at the Knox County FFA Public Speaking Contest. However, they did not start dating until December of 2010 when Matt finally mustered up the courage to ask Bethany on a date. They both had childhoods deeply rooted in agriculture and it was not long after their first date that they started dreaming about their future farm together. That summer, Matt taught Bethany how to raise pasture-raised chickens for her last year in 4-H and FFA. With college, careers, and a wedding in December of 2016, their farming dream finally became a reality when they moved back “home” to the Knox/Licking County area in 2019. 2020 was a big year for them when they purchased 51 acres and started building a house just outside of Utica. Due to the pandemic, increasing material costs, and factory shutdowns, Bethany and Matt were excited when they were able to move into their new home in the spring of 2022.

The Livestock: In 2019, they started raising pasture-raised chickens on 1 acre of rented land and growing their cattle herd again at Matt’s parents’ farm and other leased pastures. In 2020, they began raising ducks and turkeys with the help of Bethany’s dad, Brian. They added pigs to the farm in 2021, added laying hens in 2022, and in 2024 added 5 Katahdin ewes, with the goal to increase their flock of sheep over the next few years.

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Read More About: The Land

Just ten days after Bethany and Matt closed on their 51 acres in the spring of 2020, they planted the fields to a pasture grass mix. Prior to them owning the land, it was farmed conventionally by local farmers who leased the land and planted corn and soybeans. In Matt and Bethany’s opinion, the land should never have been farmed conventionally without the use of cover crops and no-till farming practices because of the slope of the land and its classification as highly erodible soil. The land had been abused. There is severe and deep gully erosion and sheet erosion, the top of the knolls have little to no topsoil because it has all washed downhill into the waterways. The land was sucked dry of all of its nutrients and their pasture mix came up yellow from the lack of nutrients. They fertilized the fields, but within weeks the grasses were yellow again. A soil test indicated that the pH was within range and that nutrient levels were low.

Matt and Bethany reached out to the Licking County NRCS office to inquire about EQIP grants and a plan to turn the land into pasture to protect the soil. McCarty Farmstead was selected to receive EQIP funding to set the land up for medium intensity prescribed grazing for cattle. In late 2022, their exterior and interior fence was built, separating the pastures into eight paddocks for the cattle to rotate through. The cattle were brought “home” in January of 2023. In the fall of 2024, Matt and Bethany continue their work with the NRCS funded plan and have installed water lines and waterers so they no longer have to haul water every day out to the livestock. Their last project is a “heavy-use pad”. This pad is large enough for two round bale feeders and for the cattle to stand on so they are not destroying the soil structure in the winter when it is muddy. When the ground is dry or frozen they unroll hay down the hills for the cattle to “bale graze” spreading nutrients and the seeds from the bales onto their pasture. Matt and Bethany’s goal is to raise wholesome and nutritious meat while also rebuilding and repairing the soil. By utilizing rotational grazing, they are building the soil, increasing plant diversity, and sequestering carbon. Building the soil with organic matter reduces runoff and makes the pastures more drought-tolerant. According to the USDA-NRCS, every 1% increase in organic matter can result in up to 20,000 gallons of available soil water per acre, essentially acting like a sponge to retain more water within the soil.

Along with their 51 acres, Matt and Bethany also lease an additional ~150 acres of pasture and hay. Matt and Bethany knew that they would face many hurdles with the farmland but were excited to take on the challenge and are eager to watch the land transform within their lifetime. They are already seeing small improvements to the soil health each year.

Woman smiling for a selfie with a chicken perched on her shoulder, set against a clear blue sky and a rural background.

Two smiling individuals pose for a selfie in a brick-lined hallway. The woman has curly hair and is wearing a cozy grey jacket, while the man has a beard and glasses, dressed in a blue shirt and jacket. The background features a modern interior with soft lighting.

Fluffy golden retriever puppy sitting on a black saddle of an ATV, surrounded by white bags, against a clear blue sky and green landscape.

Man in a gray t-shirt sitting in a truck, looking out the window at a brown and white cow in a green pasture. The scene captures a rural setting with open fields in the background, highlighting a connection between humans and livestock.

Happy couple posing outdoors, smiling together at a social event. The woman has curly hair and holds a drink, while the man wears glasses and a blue shirt. A green landscape with trees is visible in the background.

Person unloading crates from a truck at night in a grassy field, with a ladder visible for access to the cargo.

Young woman smiling in a cozy scarf poses for a selfie with a man sitting beside her, both enjoying a relaxed moment indoors. The background features wooden elements and natural light, creating a warm atmosphere.

Man holding a shovel and a cordless drill, standing next to a yellow pipe fitting in a dug hole, with a sunset and green field in the background. Ideal for topics on landscaping or DIY projects.

Couple smiling together in a lush green field at sunset, showcasing a romantic outdoor moment surrounded by nature.

Meet the Farmers

While Matt and Bethany cannot venture too far from the farm because their livestock requires daily care, you might find them spending the day in Amish country, kayaking down the Mohican River, at the county fair, or just sitting on their wrap-around porch enjoying the summer breeze and the sunrises and sunsets.

Smiling couple posing together outdoors in front of lush green foliage, the woman wearing a floral dress and the man in a plaid shirt, showcasing a joyful moment.

Matthew McCarty, Owner

Matthew grew up on a small farm in northern Licking County. With his mom, Beth, they started McCarty’s Taste of Eden raising vegetables, beef, and pasture-raised chicken, and sold their products at the Granville Farmers’ Market.

Matt was very active in FFA in high school where he received his State and American FFA Degrees as well as placed first in the state of Ohio in 2009 for Organic Production Proficiency. He was also on the first-place Ohio Urban Soils team and traveled to Oklahoma for national soil judging. In high school, Matt worked for Long Meadows Grass Fed Beef where he learned about raising organic grass-fed beef, heard about regenerative farmers like Joel Salatin, and explored other pastured-based operations through OEFFA that led him to his dream to start his own grass-based regenerative farm.

Matt graduated from THE Ohio State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Agriculture in Sustainable Plant Systems with a specialty in agronomy. Since graduation, Matt has been a salesman at the local Case IH dealership. In his free time, Matt enjoys trying new bourbons, grilling/smoking meat, cheering on his favorite sports teams (Cleveland Browns, Ohio State, Cleveland Guardians, and the Columbus Blue Jackets), and listening to outlaw country music while tinkering in the shop. Matt loves working with his livestock and some call him the animal whisperer; he can call the cows to him with just a few “Here Cow!”s and he loads almost all of the cattle and pigs calmly by himself. If Matt could work with his cattle and Australian Shepherd, Ollie, 24/7 he would be in heaven.

Smiling couple standing together under a gazebo in a park, with green trees in the background. The woman is wearing a floral dress and the man is dressed in a polo shirt and jeans.

Bethany McCarty, Owner

Bethany grew up in central Knox County. Some of Bethany’s earliest memories are of working in the garden, planting green beans, harvesting strawberries, and eating cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas right off the vine. Through her teenage years, Bethany and her family, raised a 4-acre garden, growing produce to sell at the Mount Vernon Farmers’ Market. Bethany was active in 4-H and FFA, showing pigs and chickens at the Knox County Fair, and taking on various projects like cooking, photography, gardening, scrapbooking, cake decorating, and sewing. Bethany was the 2009 Knox County Pork Industry Princess and still enjoys serving a Porkette sandwich to fairgoers in the Little Red Barn at the Knox County Fair.

Bethany received her State and American FFA degrees and placed 3rd in the state of Ohio in 2010 for Vegetable Production Proficiency. Bethany’s passion for FFA and farming led her to pursue a Bachelor’s of Agriculture Degree in AgriScience Education from THE Ohio State University. Now, Bethany utilizes her degree in a non-traditional capacity making a career out of managing small-scale regenerative farms and teaching others how to grow food.

Bethany enjoys cooking, especially farm-to-table meals; gardening; hosting friends and family at the farm; and spending time with her 3 dogs and 2 cats. Bethany loves attending farmers’ markets and building relationships within the community.

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