Our Farm

Our Early Days

Our family has farmed in Laurel Hill, Florida, since the early 1800s. This is one of the earliest photos we could find depicting the life style of the farm in past years. My grandmother, Eunice Steele, is third from the left and she is posing with a few of her 9 brothers and sisters showing off their prize mules. We used this photo, slightly altered, as our logo to show respect for the type of farming done in those days.

The Easy Run Farm

My grandfather, M.A. Fortune, married Eunice Steele, and raised three boys, Johnny, Jerry, Jackie, on what he named "The Easy Run Farm." In addition to being a school principal, he ran a subsistance farm and had a passion for breeding high milk producing goats. He loved all his animals and had a true gift when it came to training his English shepherds.

The Lost 40 Ranch

My dad, Johnny Fortune, aside from being an attorney, raised Asian water buffalo and Texas longhorns on what he named "The Lost 40 Ranch." He was attracted to the buffalo for their hardiness and healthy meat. He practiced law during the week and took my brother, sisters and myself up to the farm every weekend. We were "forced" to work like dogs, the whole time being told that we would thank him one day. Well it took 40 years, but "Thanks Dad!"

Big Creek Farm

Current owner, Mark Fortune, says, "Big Creek Farm was a seed planted 40 years ago when I was given two orphan piglets I named 'Snorkle' and 'Porkle.' They went fishing with me every morning and became my constant companions. Ever since then I have had a great appreciation for pigs' inquisitive personalities." After 19 years of commercial fishing in Alaska, Mark went back to his farming roots. "We now have one of the largest herds of Pure-bred Heritage Tamworth hogs in the United States, and I still enjoy watching the piglets run around and get in trouble."