From a pandemic garden to 2,000 acres of pasture-raised Wagyu cattle and heritage Berkshire pigs: discover how Jaclyn Smith built one of North Carolina's most exceptional farms.

In this episode: Jaclyn Smith, co-founder of Wilders in Turkey, North Carolina, joins host Gretchen Coley to discuss how a COVID-era garden and a single pregnant cow sparked a full-scale transition from real estate to farming. Discover how Jaclyn and her husband Reed raise 100% full-blood Wagyu cattle and heritage Berkshire pigs on 2,000 acres using natural farming practices, and why the result is some of the most marbled, flavorful beef available in North Carolina. Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

The story of Wilders begins not with a grand plan, but with extra time, a raised garden bed, and a family willing to try something new.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaclyn and Reed Smith had 38 acres in Clayton, North Carolina they weren't doing much with. Their kids came home from school. Life slowed in a way none of them expected. So they made a decision: spend as much time outside as possible.

That simple choice changed everything.

Meet Jaclyn Smith: From Golf Scholarship to Wagyu Farmer

Jaclyn grew up in New York and Pennsylvania, about as far from a 2,000-acre cattle farm as you can get. A golf scholarship to Campbell University brought her to North Carolina, where she quickly realized she'd found her home.

The people were kind. The pace of life felt right. And freshman year, she met her husband Reed. They were both on the golf team. Twenty years of marriage and three children later, Jaclyn wouldn't live anywhere else.

Before Wilders, the Smiths built a successful real estate business. By any measure, it was working. But during the pandemic, they made the kind of decision that looks simple in hindsight and enormous in the moment.

How a Pandemic Garden Became a 2,000-Acre Farm

The Smiths started small: a raised bed vegetable garden, a few laying chickens, four Berkshire hogs (three ladies and a gentleman, Jaclyn notes, not related), and eventually, their first cow.

She was pregnant when they bought her. What they didn't know was that she'd deliver twins, a two-day arrival that had the whole family outside, learning what farming actually looked and felt like.

"It just gave us this opportunity to learn that we really loved being outside and doing agriculture," Jaclyn says.

From that starting point in Johnston County, the Smiths began building Wilders, renting nearby farms to house their growing herd while they searched for land of their own. That search led them to a 2,000-acre property in Turkey, North Carolina, roughly halfway between Raleigh and Wilmington.

They closed on December 23rd. The cows moved in on Christmas Eve.

The Name "Wilders" and the Values Behind It

The name Wilders comes from two places: their original homestead was in the Wilders township in Johnston County, and their real estate and construction company is called Riverwild.

But WILD is also an acronym for the core values that run through both businesses:

• W: Will to Win
• I: Intentional Adaptability
• L: Live Compassionately
• D: Disciplined Execution

Every employee is evaluated against these values in quarterly reviews.

What Makes Wilders Wagyu Different

Wilders raises 100% full-blood Wagyu, a specific choice that matters for flavor, quality, and consistency.

Most Wagyu sold in the United States comes from crossbred animals. At Wilders, both the cow and the bull are 100% full-blood Wagyu. The result is the highest level of marbling consistency possible, as close to Japanese A5 Wagyu as American-raised beef can get.

That shows up in the numbers. Wilders beef measures 30 to 40 percent on the digital marbling percentage scale. USDA Prime, what most people think of as the gold standard, measures 8 to 13 percent.

The Health Case for Wagyu Beef

Most people assume premium beef means more indulgence. With Wagyu, the story is more nuanced.

Wagyu beef is lower in cholesterol than conventional beef. Its omega-3 content is higher than some fish. That's not a marketing claim. It's a product of the breed itself and how Wilders raises its animals.

No growth hormones. No antibiotics. Animals on pasture, birthing naturally, eating feed grown on the farm. Wilders even works with a Texas-based nutritionist who has made more than 50 trips to Japan studying the breed.

"We want our animals to thrive on their own," Jaclyn says. "We only intervene when we feel like they're in trouble or need help."

Three Years in the Making

Part of why Wagyu commands a different price is time. Conventional beef is typically harvested at 18 to 24 months. Wagyu takes about three years from conception to harvest.

At Wilders, three breeding cycles per year, using artificial insemination and embryo transfer, keep calving windows condensed so the team can monitor every birth closely.

Ground beef from Wilders starts at $12 a pound. A modest premium for something that's been three years in the making and raised entirely without shortcuts.

How to Order Wilders Beef

Wilders ships nationwide. Order online at wilders.com, where every cut is listed with photos and pricing. Subscription boxes are available monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, and the holiday gift guide has pre-curated options for corporate gifts, teacher gifts, and client appreciation.

To shop in person:

• North Hills Farmers Market, Raleigh (Saturdays)
• Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market (Mondays)
• Clayton storefront, open year-round

To taste Wilders beef at a restaurant, visit Lagana in Raleigh, the exclusive restaurant partner that won best burger in Raleigh last year.

One Compassion: Giving Back Through the Farm

In 2014, when the Smiths founded Riverwild, they also launched a nonprofit called One Compassion, with a mission to glorify God while building up the local community.

One Compassion runs a monthly community meal open to everyone, a Christian music festival each year, and its largest effort: a holiday ministry that adopts 150 to 200 families annually, providing essentials, food, and gifts for children at Christmas. At one coordinated event with the Clayton High School homecoming, the organization served 400 families.

"I grew up in poverty," Jaclyn shares. "Christmas was always a really interesting time. I've always found that a meal provided around a holiday is so special."

Those who want to volunteer, whether shopping for families, packing boxes, or helping on delivery day, are welcome to reach out.

Farm Tours Coming This Spring

Wilders hosted its first public farm tour in the fall. It sold out in under 24 hours, 40 spots across two groups of 20.

Spring tours are already being planned. Sign up at wilders.com or follow @wilders.brand on Instagram to be first in line.

What Jaclyn Smith Has Learned

One number stuck with Jaclyn when she entered agriculture: farmers make up 1% of the population. That 1% feeds everyone else.

"It just is mind-blowing," she says. "I just have a total different appreciation for land, agriculture, and the farmers around us."

For anyone dreaming about a career change to farm life, her answer is two words: Do it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilders

Who is Jaclyn Smith?

Jaclyn Smith is the co-founder of Wilders, a 2,000-acre farm in Turkey, NC, raising 100% full-blood Wagyu cattle and heritage Berkshire pigs. Before Wilders, she built a successful real estate career in the Johnston County area alongside her husband Reed.

Where is Wilders Farm located?

Turkey, North Carolina, roughly halfway between Raleigh and Wilmington, near Exit 364.

What does "100% full-blood Wagyu" mean?

Both the mother cow and the bull are 100% full-blood Wagyu, no crossbreeding. This produces the most consistent marbling and the eating experience closest to Japanese A5 Wagyu.

Is Wagyu beef healthy?

Wagyu is lower in cholesterol than conventional beef and higher in omega-3s than some fish. Wilders raises its animals without growth hormones or antibiotics on pasture.

How do I order from Wilders?

At wilders.com with nationwide shipping. Subscription boxes, individual cuts, and holiday gift bundles are all available. In person: North Hills Farmers Market (Saturdays), Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market (Mondays), or the Clayton storefront.

What is One Compassion?

A nonprofit founded by the Smiths in 2014. It runs monthly community meals, a Christian music festival, and a holiday ministry serving 150 to 200 families each year.

Why It Matters: A Farm Built on Intention

For Jaclyn Smith, Wilders was never just a business pivot. It was a decision rooted in family, faith, and a genuine love for the land.

What started with a raised garden bed, a handful of Berkshire hogs, and a cow who surprised everyone with twins has become one of the most intentional farming operations in North Carolina.

And maybe the most honest thing about Wilders is this: the beef is exceptional because the farming is. The health benefits, the marbling, the flavor, all of it flows from a decision to do things the right way, even when it takes three years.

Want to learn more about Wilders?

Visit wilders.com, follow @wilders.brand on Instagram, or sign up for the email list to be first to know about farm tours, sales, and new products.

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