Meet the two families that are joined by the passion to deliver a premium red meat option for those living with Alpha Gal Syndrome—and anyone seeking a clean, lean, and conscientious alternative to beef.
Rethinking Red Meat—for People Like Us.
Alpha Roost Farms was founded by two families with one mission: to raise and deliver premium red meat for those living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome—and anyone seeking a lean, conscientious alternative to beef.
Our story begins with Brent Williams, a lifelong cattleman and expert in animal nutrition, who was diagnosed with Alpha-Gal in 2019. After nearly a year of unanswered symptoms, he discovered he could no longer eat the very foods he’d spent his career producing. The answer came in an unexpected source: ostrich—a red meat with the richness and texture of beef, but without the alpha-gal allergen.
Brent and his wife Kandice—an educator, veterinary technician, and longtime food allergy advocate—joined forces with WD King and Dr. Morgan Hayes, agricultural engineers and experienced farmers. Together, they founded Alpha Roost Farms: not just a farm, but a brand committed to producing thoughtful, allergen-conscious red meat.
With decades of expertise in farming, nutrition, and food systems, we raise and harvest every bird with care. Our ostriches are raised by the Hayes family on land they’ve stewarded from the ground up—guided by a shared commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and transparency.
Meet Our Team
Brent brings over 30 years of professional experience in feed and animal nutrition—and a lifetime in livestock. Raised in the world of farming, he grew up showing animals, participating in 4-H and FFA, and put himself through college by raising and backgrounding Holstein steer calves. With a degree in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, Brent has worked across cow/calf operations, finishing cattle, and more—always with a focus on how nutrition impacts animal health and meat quality.
Diagnosed with Alpha Gal in 2019, he turned a personal challenge into purpose—helping create a brand focused on red meat options that are both satisfying and thoughtfully aligned with alpha-gal dietary needs. At Alpha Roost Farms, Brent leads with a passion for quality, animal care, and transparency—from feed to finish.
Kandice is an educator and food allergy advocate with more than two decades of experience in food systems. As Coordinator of the Food Systems Innovation Center at the University of Kentucky, she specializes in food safety, labeling, and processing standards. Her personal connection to food allergies—through her son’s early diagnosis—has made her a trusted voice for families navigating food restrictions. She brings a deep understanding of what it means to offer clear, reliable options for those with alpha-gal sensitivities.
WD is a lifelong farmer with a deep-rooted passion for animal care, land stewardship, and practical innovation. He began raising chickens at age eight and spent his school years managing bottle calves, showing livestock, and helping on his grandfather’s farm. After earning his degree in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky—where he met Morgan—he went on to build a farm of their own. Together, they’ve grown their operation from 90 acres to over 500 acres farmed today.
In addition to managing a 100+ head cow herd and selling hay and packaged beef, WD spent over 16 years in poultry nutrition research at Alltech. He now consults internationally in commercial poultry production while continuing to build a sustainable, future-focused farm at home.
Alpha Roost Farms began with a chance conversation between WD and longtime friend Brent. A passing joke about raising ostriches turned into a shared vision—and less than a year later, their first birds arrived. For WD, ostrich farming is more than a business—it’s a way to preserve the farming life he loves while creating meaningful options for those navigating alpha-gal.
Morgan is an agricultural engineer and livestock systems expert who has spent her career designing smarter, more sustainable farm environments. She holds degrees from The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kentucky, and Iowa State University, with a focus on animal systems and environmental engineering. Her work blends research and practical application to ensure animal well-being, air quality, and long-term land health. Morgan’s passion is building farms that thrive today—and for generations to come.
