Young woman uses social media to save grandfather’s farm
As Zakaya Butler is putting a modern spin on marketing the farm, she is also learning lessons on agriculture and business.
Farming gone viral: South Carolina woman uses social media to rescue grandfather's farm
Following the loss of her grandmother, 23 year-old Zakaya Butler has harnessed the power of social media to help her grandfather save the struggling family farm. FOX Weather multimedia journalist Will Nunley on how Butler learns to be a businesswoman and farmer at the same time.
SUMTER, S.C. – Zakaya Butler, 23, took to social media to grow support for Martin Farm Meats in South Carolina.
Owned by her grandfather, Martin Farm Meats was a struggling business. Butler then put her social media skills to use to help turn things around.
Butler on the farm.
(Martin Farm Meats / Facebook / FOX Weather)
She began to market her grandfather’s products and his story. Within weeks, Butler said sales had grown exponentially.
"We see new faces every day," she said. "I believe this was his goal, too, because he is used to seeing the same people come, but now we see new faces and those new faces are telling new faces."
![Martin speaks to customers.]()
Image 1 of 3Martin speaks to customers. (Martin Farm Meats / Facebook)
![Bacon produced at Martin Farm Meats.]()
Image 2 of 3Bacon produced at Martin Farm Meats. (Martin Farm Meats / Facebook)
![A tractor on a field at Martin Farm Meats.]()
Image 3 of 3A tractor on a field at Martin Farm Meats. (Martin Farm Meats / Facebook)
As Butler is putting a modern spin on marketing the farm, she is also learning lessons on agriculture and business.
"This is like me going to college for free," she said. "I’m learning agriculture from my granddaddy."