Shipley Farms Signature Beef
Five generations of family farming in the Appalachian Mountains of Vilas, North Carolina. Pasture-raised, dry-aged beef, shipped frozen to your door or ready for pickup at the farm.
Shop Our Beef- 5.0 stars on Google from 100+ reviews
- Ships frozen nationwide. Free farm pickup in Vilas, NC.
- Sold by the pound, charged for the exact packed weight.
- Trusted by local chefs: Booneshine Brewing, The Cardinal, Pepper’s and more
Featured Cuts
Dry-aged on the farm, shipped fresh to your door. Every cut is raised without added hormones on mountain pasture.
Rooted in the Mountains, Raised by Family
Our story begins in 1872, when Nathan and Sarah Shipley purchased 115 acres of farmland beside Sarah’s family’s farmhouse in Vilas, NC. Since then, the Shipley family has been breeding and raising premium quality beef on the family farm in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. W.E. Shipley, Nathan’s son and R.G.’s father, brought the first registered Hereford bull into NC from Virginia in 1897, walking the bull behind a horse-drawn wagon.
W.E. Shipley, “Mr. Ed” as he was known to many, and his brother Huston had a well-deserved reputation for their farming and livestock expertise. They were both well respected for their knowledge of cattle, and their operations were often featured in the local paper, the Watauga Democrat. At one time they both owned multiple farms in the area, but the old Shipley Farm in Vilas was always a focal point of cattle trading in the agricultural community. The farm featured one of the more modern facilities in the region, including the first cattle scales in or around Watauga County, which any farmers in the area were invited to use.
In 2013, inspired by R.G.’s desire for a new adventure at 101 years old, we ventured out from raising livestock and began producing finished beef — making available to our friends and neighbors the same farm-raised meat we’ve fed our family for years.
“No shortcuts since 1872.”
Read Our Full StoryOur Promise: To provide beef that tastes better and is healthier for you because of where it comes from and how it is cared for.
R.G. Shipley Sr. · 1912–2015
Our Practices
No Shortcuts. No Compromises.
Every decision we make starts with one question: what's best for the animal, the land, and the family at the dinner table?
Pasture Raised
Our cattle graze on lush, clover-rich mountain pastures in the Southern Appalachians. Supplemented with a balanced, vegetable-based feed and aged for optimal flavor, tenderness, and marbling.
No Added Hormones
Our beef is free of any added hormones or steroids. Never treated with antibiotics except when medically necessary to treat a temporary illness — just as you would for your own family.
Dry Aged for Flavor
We dry-age our beef to develop deep, complex flavor and exceptional tenderness. A time-honored technique allowing natural enzymes to create the rich taste only patient craftsmanship can deliver.
NC Century Farm Certified · No Added Hormones · Pasture Raised · Dry Aged In-House · Ships Nationwide · Family Owned
Southern Appalachian Mountains · Five Generations · No Shortcuts Since 1872 · First NC Herefords, 1897 · Vilas NC
What Families Are Saying
“I recently had the sublime pleasure of enjoying a couple of steaks we picked up from the farm while in the area (we'd reserved them - THANK YOU SYDNEY!). They were insanely marbled, very tender, and the flavor was extremely complex. WARNING: you will never eat a steak that you won't compare to Shipley's steak.”
Chris Slay · Google review, 2021
“We’ve been purchasing our beef from Shipley for the past couple of years. It’s consistently amazing! My family loves it so much, it’s our go-to option for celebration meals. Today I enjoyed getting to pick up my order at the Blowing Rock Farmer’s Market. You couldn’t ask for nicer, more knowledgeable folks. Thank you Shipley Family and staff for making such quality beef, sharing your knowledge and always making a visit with y’all a joy!”
Cyndi Hall · Google review, 2025
“While visiting the Boone, NC area we found this wonderful resource and purchased several items from the farm store to take home to Charlotte, NC. EVERYTHING was simply outstanding and we couldn't be more pleased; it is nearly impossible to find food of this quality in this "heavily processed to feed millions" world of food Inc. We have made Shipley Farms our exclusive supplier of beef and pork (and some goodies for our Alaskan Malamute Ranger) via a subscription service with them that delivers to our home.
Do not hesitate to give them a try, you WILL be back for more!”
Doug E · Google review, 2025
A Century of Family Farming
Hear the story of this North Carolina Century Farm told by the three generations who launched a new direct-to-consumer beef operation. This video was produced in memory of Robert G. Shipley Sr.
Experience the Farm
There’s nothing quite like seeing where your food comes from. We welcome visitors to tour the farm, meet the cattle, and see firsthand how we raise our beef. Stop by our farm store for fresh cuts, or make a weekend of it and stay at our historic farmhouse.
Farm Store
Fresh cuts of beef, pork, eggs, and local artisan goods. Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM.
Shop the Store →Stay at Valley View
Spend the night in our historic farmhouse overlooking the pastures. Wake up to mountain views and farm-fresh breakfast.
Learn More →