As a sixth-generation poultry farmer, Mike was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. From a young age, growing up around local farmers, he had a dream to start his own chicken farm. When it came time to do it, he had one goal in mind, which was to raise and produce the most beautiful chickens he could find. In this journey to raising the most beautiful chickens, Mike turned to France, where he learned about the Label Rouge, a heritage growing practice known around the world. He sourced an exclusive, new breed that is naturally slow-growing, taking about twice as long to reach maturity than it does for conventional birds. They are also vigorous and active, climbing on hay bales and perches, and foraging each morning. Mike branded his new breed of chicken "LaBelle Patrimoine" which is French for "A Beautiful Heritage,” a fitting name for a breed raised the way chickens are meant to be raised.