Exploring Life & Business with Darnell Dugger of Acre & Herd Ranch, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darnell Dugger.

Hi Darnell, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At 19 years old, I joined the Army and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. After completing my military service, I started a career in IT, working my way up to become a software support engineer. Throughout this time, I always carried a dream of farming, and sheep eventually became my passion. I found my land through Georgia Farm Link, an organization that connects landowners with new generation farmers like myself. I started with just 9 sheep, and in only a few months, I’ve already grown my flock to over 20 animals. This journey from soldier to tech professional to farm business owner represents my path to fulfilling a lifelong dream of working the land.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road hasn’t been entirely smooth. After leaving the military, I struggled with the transition to civilian life while being a single father at the time. The technical skills came naturally, but the cultural adjustment was challenging after years of military structure.
When I decided to pursue sheep farming, I faced significant hurdles. Finding affordable land was my biggest obstacle until I discovered Georgia Farm Link. Even then, securing funding was difficult as a first-generation farmer with no agricultural background. Banks were hesitant to provide loans without farming experience. So I self financed using some of the proceeds from the sale of my first home
The learning curve was steep – I spent countless hours researching sheep husbandry, attending workshops, and connecting with established farmers who could mentor me. There were early failures when I lost two lambs to preventable health issues because of my inexperience.
Despite these challenges, watching my flock grow from 9 to over 20 sheep in just a short time has made every struggle worthwhile. I have plans to become one of the largest sheep herders in the state someday.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Acre & Herd Ranch, I proudly raise American pasture-raised lamb, providing a direct farm-to-consumer experience that supports both the health of the environment and the quality of my livestock. I am dedicated to regenerative agriculture, a practice that revitalizes the soil and benefits my sheep by promoting biodiversity and soil fertility. Through rotational grazing, my sheep help to naturally fertilize the land, leading to improved soil structure and nutrient cycling.

At the ranch, my core offerings include whole or half lambs, ensuring that my customers receive high-quality, delicious meat raised in an ethical and sustainable manner. In addition to selling lamb, I also provide solar grazing services, utilizing my sheep to maintain land under solar panels to enhance both productivity and ecological balance. Furthermore, I offer leasing opportunities for my sheep to other farmers, helping to promote regenerative practices across local farms. Through these endeavors, I strive to create a sustainable future for agriculture while nourishing my community with wholesome products.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve found tremendous inspiration in the “How I Built This” podcast with Guy Raz. I’ve basically listened to every episode, and each entrepreneur’s story resonates with me as I build Acre & Herd Ranch. Hearing how founders started their businesses from nothing and grew them into successful ventures gives me both practical strategies and emotional motivation.