photos by David Halterman

Over the next month, families will come together to share the gift of food and fellowship more than any other time of the year. And a certain family near Breen brings the perfect medley of food and family to the table every single day. The first-generation Napier Family Farms, specializing in whole chickens, goat and lamb, is owned and operated by Holly and Mark Napier. They live and work on 40 acres atop the Fort Lewis Mesa with their four growing children, three dogs and a handful of cats. With strong beliefs in sharing and family participation, which will help keep this farm strong for generations to come, the Napier family epitomizes the values that this time of year are all about.

Napier Farms owner Holly holds one of her chicks. Family dog and herder Maggie watches on as Mark Napier sharpens his knife before the last chicken processing of the season. Elizabeth Napier watches as her father, Mark, removes the chickens feet before they take a spin in the plucker. Madelyn Napier, left, mother, Holly, center, and father Mark prepare to process chickens on their farm near Breen on Tuesday morning.