Proudly Farming North Carolina Land for Over 50 Years

Our story traces its roots back to the mid-1700s, when a determined young man, Gasper Schmidt, crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of a new life in the North Carolina hills. Drawn to the fertile land near the Yadkin River, with its majestic pines and flowering trees, Gasper acquired 210 acres in what would become Davidson County. There, he established his home, working the land and embracing his new country. In 1763, he became a citizen, adopting the name Smith, and later served in the American Revolutionary War. He and his wife Margaret raised seven children; their lives deeply connected to the rhythm of the farm.

That very land would later gain recognition as Riverwood, the place where American artist Bob Timberlake began his celebrated career in the 1970s from a studio nestled on Gasper’s original acreage. For generations, the Smith family remained deeply tied to the North Carolina soil, their lives guided by enduring principles: respect, accountability, perseverance, family, and faith.

The 1920s and 1930s presented significant challenges for the Smith family. Following the passing of Julius Marcellus Smith, his wife, Grandmama Emma Smith (pictured), demonstrated remarkable resilience. She and her children faced the hardships of the Great Depression with courage and steadfastness, working as tenant farmers in Davidson County. As the next generation matured, they contributed to the family’s well-being. Aunt Nan was a pioneer, the first in the family to attend college at Appalachian State Teachers College. Her ambition inspired her younger brothers, including Fred Smith Sr., to join her. To fund his education, Fred worked diligently, tending to the dining hall locker rooms where food was stored. It was there, as a freshman, that he met his future wife, Eudell Formyduval, a fellow student. By his sophomore year, their connection deepened, leading to a secret elopement that lasted over two years until their graduation.

As graduation neared, Fred Smith Sr. accepted a teaching and coaching position at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh. Though initially hesitant, he agreed, and in 1940, the day after graduation, he and his wife moved to Raleigh. Life at the orphanage began simply. Their sons, Fred Smith Jr. and Irvin quickly learned the value of contributing to the family. They pitched in at the orphanage farm wherever a hand was needed, including making trips to the orphanage’s dairy farm in southeast Raleigh to deliver milk to Pine State Creamery.

In 1957, Fred Smith Sr. left the orphanage when the Baptist State Convention hired him as a manager of the Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell in Southport, North Carolina. Continuing the family’s deep-rooted connection to the land, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a farm by purchasing land in Southport to raise beef cattle. This legacy continued in the early 1970s when his sons, Fred Smith Jr. and Irvin, established Smith Brothers Cattle Company. Their partnership involved raising a herd of seedstock Simmental and Commercial Angus cattle and cultivating crops like tobacco, soybeans, and corn in Johnston and Warren County.

Fred and Irvin’s shared passion for cattle fostered bonds with other farmers. Fred Smith Jr.’s dedication led to his involvement in the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, where he served as president in 1982. In 2010, he expanded his SimAngus seedstock ranch in Clayton, which is now the largest of its kind in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina.

More than just its acreage, FSC Ranch is unique because of it’s unwavering dedication to our EVERGREEN Breeding Philosophy. This unique approach centers on building lasting value through the careful selection of superior cattle. To accomplish this, the team meticulously evaluates animals across five crucial traits: direct calving ease, maternal calving ease, weaning weight, yearling weight, and marbling. In addition to these individual traits, our EVERGREEN cattle are assessed using all-purpose and terminal indexes. A rigorous 3-round embryo transfer program fuels this process, ensuring each generation benefits from exceptional SimAngus genetics. This program emphasizes both male and female lines, driving consistent improvement year after year.

The landscape shifted dramatically in March of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. Amidst the uncertainty, a heightened awareness of food origins took hold. Recognizing this growing desire for transparency, FSC Ranch responded by offering local beef directly from the ranch, providing customers with the assurance of knowing exactly where their food came from. 

The Smiths’ unwavering commitment to quality and their desire to contribute to their community are deeply intertwined with their profound respect for cattle and their dedication to responsible land stewardship. This enduring legacy of respect has been passed down through generations, forming the very foundation of our company.