From a barnhouse to a slaughterhouse, Iverstine Family Farms turned its quaint farm into a thriving local business. Since the butcher shop opened its doors on Perkins Road Friday, political science senior and owner Galen Iverstine said business has been booming.
The small business began more than six years ago as a family-owned farm in Kentwood, Louisiana. It began selling fresh homegrown produce to the Red Stick Farmers Market and several local restaurants, including Magpie Cafe, Blend Restaurant and Wine Bar and City Club.
The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.−7 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.−3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.−3 p.m. Iverstine said the employees need Mondays off to rest after a long weekend of work.
“A lot of our existing customers, as well as people just passing by, stopped in our store to see what was going on,” Iverstine said.
Designed like a grocery store, all cuts and produce are visible in the shop. The meat sits enclosed in a glass casing, which Iverstine calls the “fresh beef case.”
Customers can also watch butchers prepare the meat behind a glass wall.
After raising hogs on the shop’s namesake farm for seven months, Iverstine Family Farms Butcher shop offers a variety of meats, including grass-fed beef and lamb and pastured poultry. A smokehouse behind the shop helps create some of the business’ signature smoke-infused sausage, ham and bacon.
Along with local beers, wine and roasted coffee, Iverstine Family Farms Butcher shop sells lunch options such as gumbo with smoked sausage and chicken. The business is also in the process of making and marketing sandwiches.
“The beverages really complement our products,” Iverstine said. “You are getting the freshest product possible.”
Iverstine said he started farming because he was compelled to combine his political science knowledge with his desire to fill the production gap in his community, according to the butcher shop’s website.
After a few years, he said the family decided it was time to take its local farm to the next level.
With the help of a real estate agent, the family searched for a Baton Rouge location for three years before deciding on its current Perkins Road address.
“Our real estate agent bought the place and designed it around our needs,” Iverstine said.

Gallery • 17 Photos

Michael Palmer

Iverstine Farms Butcher shop displaying fresh meat for sale on Oct. 25, 2016, located at 4765 Perkins Rd.