A Family Legacy in Farming and Food
Becci’s Barnyard was founded in 2018 by John and Becci Craig as a way to add value to their cattle herd.
In December 2001, after John’s father suffered multiple farming accidents, the Craigs moved back to Noxubee County to help on the family cattle farm. When Buck passed away in 2007, John and Becci—who represented the fourth generation of cattle farmers—continued managing the farm, preserving the legacy started by his great-grandfather in 1926.
One of their main goals was to maximize the value of their calf crop. John’s philosophy was simple: “Each time a calf changed hands, someone was making money, and it wasn’t me.”
In 2019, while attending a meeting at the assisted living facility where John’s mother lived, they overheard a chef discussing the need for locally sourced ground beef and roast. That conversation sparked the idea for Becci’s Barnyard as a wholesale branded beef business. They began supplying ground beef to the facility.
During COVID, they faced difficulty securing USDA processing appointments, and the assisted living facility shifted away from sourcing local beef. The venture was struggling until they discovered The Poorhouse Market in Starkville, a store specializing in local products. After passing the vetting process, Becci’s Barnyard began selling their beef products.
One challenge they faced was selling the 250 pounds of ground beef left over from their first wholesale venture. That’s when they found a tamale processor in the Mississippi Delta who used their beef to create Mississippi Delta-style tamales. Just as things were picking up, The Poorhouse Market closed, leaving them searching for new outlets to sell their products.
Fortunately, TBT in Starkville began carrying their tamales and encouraged them to expand. This led them to partner with Connor’s Sweets in Macon, where owner Naquita Roby began selling their tamales in her bakery. Even when not listed on the menu, she keeps them in stock for customers who ask for them.
Their commitment to collaborating with local businesses grew when Becci’s Barnyard joined Magnolia Market in Brooksville. As demand increased, they expanded beyond the Golden Triangle area to Jackson, MS, and Tuscaloosa, AL. They also introduced their full line of beef products at Trader Days at the Oktibbeha County Co-op, where sales quickly took off.
Their success caught the attention of East Mississippi Wholesale in Starkville, which reached out to carry their products. This new partnership allowed them to process more beef and further expand their tamale business.
In 2024, they partnered with Blue Courage Farms in Brooksville to strengthen their online presence. Blue Courage Farms works with individual farmers to market their products online, delivering them directly to customers’ doorsteps—just like the traditional milkman.
John and Becci remain active in the local market scene, selling at co-ops, farmers markets, and pop-up events on weekends—unless they’re visiting their growing family. With two (soon to be
three) grandchildren, trips to Huntsville to see their son Jacob, his wife Sierra, and their new baby Rowan are cherished getaways. Visits to Jackson to see their daughter Ashley, her husband Jeremy, and their five-year-old son Jack are always a fun time. Their youngest daughter, Abby, and her boyfriend Tanner, live in Sandy Springs, GA.
John and Becci hope that one day, at least one grandchild will continue the farming legacy they love. In the meantime, they are proud to share their products with customers and give back to the local community.