Meet the Nicols Family
Drs. Lee and Amanda Nicols are redefining what it looks like when medical expertise meets agricultural passion — proving that sometimes the best innovations happen far from the exam room.
Lee and Amanda both have careers in medicine, but their shared passion for nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and community health led them down an unconventional — and delicious — new path. After years of treating patients and studying the impact of food systems on long-term wellness, the two physicians realized that in addition to their medical practices, high-quality, ethically-raised beef could play a meaningful role in healthier lifestyles.
Driven by that insight, they founded LAN Farms, a beef manufacturing and distribution business dedicated to transparency, responsible sourcing, and exceptional flavor based in Mississippi. Their scientific rigor and meticulous attention to detail now guide the quality standards of LAN Farms — from ranch partnerships to processing protocols. They champion traceability, humane practices, and nutrient-dense cuts that reflect their belief that good food is good medicine while ensuring every cut meets the company’s high bar for integrity and consistency. Their medical backgrounds give them a unique perspective: they understand not just what tastes good, but what nourishes, supports, and sustains.
Why LAN Farms
The LAN Farms Difference
One-Source Beef
- No middleman — direct from farm to you
- No grocery store guesswork about where your meat comes from or what's in it
- Honest and fully transparent sourcing
- Raised, processed, and distributed entirely by LAN Farms
Land Responsibility
- Regenerative farming practices that restore, not deplete
- Sustainable land management built for the long haul
- Every acre managed with intentional stewardship
Genetics & Breeding
- No growth hormones — ever
- Purposeful, meticulous crossbreeding to ensure top quality beef
- Every acre managed with intentional stewardship
Calving & Raising
- Stress-free environment from birth
- Natural bonding time with mother
- Open pastures — room to graze and grow
- Raised responsibly with the intention of feeding families healthier beef
- Cattle treatment and well-being are our top priority
Quality You Can Trust
- Every cut traceable back to our farm
- Processed in licensed facilities with strict standards
- Packaged and delivered with care
- A family operation - our name is on every order
- KNOW YOUR BEEF
The Truth About Grass & Grain
The term “grass fed” is widely used — but it’s ambiguous and often misleading. At LAN Farms, we believe you deserve to know exactly what that means and why our approach is different.
Our cattle are grass-fed with eventual, intentional access to grain in open pastures — never in a feedlot. This strategic combination of grass and grain produces the optimal balance of flavor, marbling, and nutritional value.
Pure grass-fed/grass-finished beef is often tough and gamey, and is not ideal for cattle health. The right ratio of grazing to grain access is what drives maximum health benefits and the best eating experience.
- HEALTH BENEFITS
Why It Matters for You
- Higher omega-3 levels from open pasture grazing
- More antioxidants compared to feedlot-raised cattle
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for added health benefits
- Higher levels of vitamins A and E
- Optimal flavor and marbling from a nutrient-balanced diet
- LAN's precise knowledge of grass-to-grain ratios means better health outcomes and better beef — every time
The People Behind the Operation
Behind every quality cut is a team of dedicated professionals who bring decades of hands-on experience to the land, the herd, and the mission of LAN Farms.
Hunter McKinley
Director of Farm Operations
Hunter McKinley serves as Director of Farm Operations for LAN Farms. He has worked alongside our family for more than 15 years — and four years ago, we brought him on full time.
Hunter grew up on a poultry farm where his family also raised cattle and row crops, giving him a deeply rooted background in agriculture. He went on to study management of construction and land development at Mississippi State University — a combination of hands-on experience and formal education he puts to work every day overseeing roads, ponds, land clearing, and the critical infrastructure that keeps LAN Farms running.
“I oversee dirt work, pasture planning, and long-term land care that supports our cattle operation. I believe high-quality beef starts with responsible land stewardship and well-cared-for cattle.”
Hunter has spent years extensively studying pasture management practices, ensuring our cattle have access to the highest quality, most nutritional crops year-round. He remains directly involved in working with our cattle to ensure they receive the best care at every stage.
“I believe the land and cattle are God’s creations, and being a good steward of those creations is a real passion of mine.”
Hunter is married and a father of two boys. He takes the LAN Farms mission personally: “I take pride in helping raise beef I trust to serve my own family. I’m also proud to be employed by a very family-oriented company and hope my own children will want to be a part of it one day.”
Josh Dennington
Cattle Operations Manager
Josh Dennington is our Cattle Operations Manager. He’s been around cattle and horses for most of his life — a passion that started young with showing horses and attending registered cow sales alongside some of the most influential people in the industry.
“I began working for Ross Cattle Company, then transitioned to Curtis Massey Cattle Company where I had many roles — one of which was preconditioning cattle. That experience taught me the importance of building a strong foundation early on with our herd in order to have the greatest impact.”
Josh understands that upholding the quality of our beef is a 365, 24/7 commitment. He holds land management in high regard as a cornerstone of herd health — ensuring our cattle always have access to the best possible forage.
“A lot of care, knowledge, and integrity go into maintaining our herd at their best. We try to keep the best forage for our cattle — and to that end, land management is held in high regard for the health and quality of our herd.”
Josh is quick to credit the mentors who shaped him: “I’ve been blessed to have great men like Dave Ross and Curtis Massey, among others, who helped guide me along the way.” He is married with two kids who are regulars out checking the herd — and the family also runs their own personal cattle operation with cattle dogs who are very much part of the family.
“We couldn’t be prouder to work for a company that places such a high value on not only quality but family in general.”
FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about LAN Farms and our new venture. Have more questions? Contact us.
Q: Where is LAN Farms located?
A: Our farm is based in Utica, Mississippi. We’re a family operation rooted in the heart of central Mississippi, and we take pride in raising our cattle right here on home ground.
Q: Why buy beef directly from a local farm?
A: When you buy from us, you know exactly where your beef comes from — one farm, one family. There’s no middleman, no mystery. You’re getting fresher, higher-quality beef and supporting a local family at the same time.
Q: What makes your beef different from what I'd find at the grocery store?
A: Our cattle are raised locally by our family with care and attention that a large-scale operation simply can’t match. We focus on quality at every step of the process, from how we raise our animals to how we process and package the beef. We’ll be sharing more details about our farming practices on our website soon.
Q: Is your beef USDA inspected?
A: Our beef is processed through licensed facilities, but we are not currently USDA certified. We’re focused on delivering a quality product and will continue to work toward meeting all applicable standards as we grow.