Our Story

Our Story

Territory Trading Company was built for people who care where their food comes from—and still want it to taste incredible.

It all started with R Family Farms, our family hog farm based near Lebanon, Kansas, right in the heart of the contiguous U.S. We raise Berkshire pork with a blend of old-school outdoor animal care and modern, data-driven farming—because the best food comes from doing the simple things consistently well: good feed, daily attention, clean living conditions, and low-stress animals.

As our customers grew, so did the requests: “Can you get us beef, too?” “Do you have bison?” “What about lamb or poultry?”
That’s when Territory Trading Company was born—so we could bring more variety to your table while keeping the same standards you already trust.

Today, Territory Trading is a network of trusted family farms—including R Family Farms—offering Berkshire pork alongside other premium meats raised with care, integrity, and pride.

Rooted in a Town of 150 People

Lebanon, Kansas is a town of about 150 people—which means you learn quickly that “community” isn’t just a nice word. It’s survival. It’s neighbors. It’s showing up.

That’s why we also invested in Main Street Mercantile, our small-town grocery store in Lebanon. In a town this size, a grocery store isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. And we knew if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right.

Main Street Mercantile is not your typical rural market. We differentiate by offering:

  • A larger-than-expected selection of fresh groceries for a town our size

  • A strong focus on local and Kansas-sourced products whenever possible

  • An in-house butcher shop that connects customers directly to quality cuts and real people who can answer questions

In other words: we’re building the kind of store we wish every small town still had.

The Salty Sow: Food, Hospitality, and High-Class Gatherings

Right alongside that work is The Salty Sow—our bar and event space that brings people together around great food and meaningful moments.

We host:

  • High-class private events (anniversaries, showers, corporate dinners, and more)

  • Catering for gatherings that deserve more than the standard tray lineup

  • A menu that leans into locally sourced ingredients and elevated comfort food—because we believe rural doesn’t have to mean boring

Whether it’s a family celebration or a curated dinner with friends, The Salty Sow exists for the same reason everything else does: to create community through food.

Meet the Farmers

Emily

Emily grew up in southeast Kansas surrounded by wheat, corn, and soybean fields her family has worked for generations. Farming wasn’t a hobby—it was life. Through FFA and hands-on experience, she fell in love with the rhythm of agriculture and the responsibility that comes with caring for land.

Emily later earned a degree in Agronomy from Kansas State University, where she deepened her commitment to soil health, conservation, and stewardship. On the farm today, she leads crop planning and helps manage the grain that feeds the pigs—because we believe you can’t talk about animal quality without talking about what they eat.

And yes—Emily wears a lot of hats: pig care, nutrition, farrowing, inventory, marketing, customer communication… the list is long. But it all comes back to one thing: doing right by the animals and the people who buy from us.

Kaden

Kaden was raised just outside Lebanon, Kansas on a multi-generation family farm where livestock and crops were simply part of daily life. Hogs have been part of his family story for decades, and even after the hard years that pushed many small pork producers out, Kaden stayed hooked on the idea that farming could still be done differently—and done well.

Through 4-H, show pigs, and years of learning livestock selection, Kaden discovered the world of niche markets and eventually Berkshire pork—a breed known for exceptional marbling and flavor. He went on to compete on collegiate judging teams, traveling the country and learning firsthand that great agriculture isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best farms don’t chase trends—they build systems that work and improve them relentlessly.

With a degree in Agribusiness (and a minor in Animal Science), Kaden returned home with Emily and got to work.

The Farm That Started It All

In 2015, we began building what would become R Family Farms. In January 2016, the first pigs arrived. We built much of the operation ourselves, piece by piece, with a long-term vision: raise exceptional pork, stay rooted in Kansas, and bring customers closer to their food.

Today, R Family Farms farrows year-round and raises pigs from birth to market weight with hands-on care every day.

Why Shipping from the Center of the U.S. Matters

Because we’re located smack dab in the middle of the lower 48, we’re a natural fit for nationwide shipping—shorter lanes to more places and a more predictable delivery network.

Territory Trading’s central U.S. distribution operation has successfully shipped 6,000+ orders, maintaining accuracy rates that outperform typical ecommerce error benchmarks—because we treat packing and cold-chain like part of the product, not an afterthought.

Why People Shop with Territory Trading

  • Farm-direct Berkshire pork from R Family Farms

  • Premium meats curated from trusted family farms

  • A small-town grocer’s mindset: fresh, local, and people-first

  • An in-house butcher shop at Main Street Mercantile

  • Hospitality and events through The Salty Sow (private events + catering)

  • Central U.S. shipping advantage for reliable nationwide delivery

  • Real people you can call or email—Emily or Kaden—no bots, no runaround

If you’re here for better meat, you’re in the right place.
If you’re here because you want to know your farmer—welcome home.