I was born in Southern California and moved up the the foothills of Central Valley just before I turned 2 years old. My family had purchased a 100 acre parcel overlooking a lake, surrounded by oak tree covered mountains. Horses were as a part of my life as air was to breath. It sounds dramatic, but that's the whole truth. There weren't a lot of people around so much of my time was spent with my animals, my horses to be precise. I knew I wanted to grow up and have a career that involved animals, whether it be in wildlife or domestic animals it hadn't been determined. On one hand I wanted to be a horse vet and on the other I wanted to own a wildlife conservation park. While in college I was given an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a family business with big goals. So instead of graduating, I took the promotion. By 2007 the small family business was a budding national pet food company. I had the opportunity to experience all aspects of running a business (except finances, that part I avoided) Office management, Sales, Customer Service, Trade Shows, Marketing, Event Planning, Product Photography, the list goes on. I essentially traded my college degree for good old fashioned work experience. In 2007 my husband was hired to develop a special line of horse food for the same company. He was sent to nutritional seminars and veterinary trainings all over the country for 2 years, creating the best possible formulas. With the help of Kentucky Equine Research and testing through our local College equestrian teams at Cal Poly, we were able to bring to fruition a concept and dream. Together he and I helped market the new product with a nation wide roll out. It exploded! The response was incredible and horse owners all over the world began to take notice. My husband and I were so proud to be instrumental parts in creating such an amazing product that most of all, delivered on what it promised.
Then, things changed.
Despite the unsurpassed quality of the products and the way horses were thriving on them there wasn't a synbionic relationship with the Pet Food company. It was determined that the horse division was not something they wanted to continue to develop.
It was immediately clear what I needed to do, I just didn't know how I could pull it off. Starting a company from scratch is an insane undertaking. For me though it was exactly what I needed. Just a few months after returning from intensive medical treatment from Lyme disease I was faced with the opportunity of a lifetime. I had just spent several years in and out of the hospital and I had finally gotten my health under control. I was mentally and physically ready to take advantage of any opportunity that crossed my path. Which is why, when I saw the opportunity just inches from my grasp, I did one simple yet courageous thing. I asked. I asked the owner of the company for the formulas and the rights to produce them. With a signature and a handshake, I was the proud new owner of our spectacular formulas.
How we became American Family Feed Co.
Choosing a business name has got to be one of the more difficult aspects of starting up. You want to pick something cool, something that is catchy and stands out. But you also want something that says who you are and what you do, and why you do it. It has to be easy to say and even easier to remember. Your name should also be one that is easy to brand and will last a lifetime. Easy. Every where I went, everything I did I spent hours trying to come up with a name. While at the grocery store, every brand on the shelves became an opportunity to brainstorm ideas, billboards, commercials and even movies were all targets of my everlasting quest.
Then. one night it hit me.
The Who **American - American Ingredients grown by American Farmers, produced in American Facilities distributed by American Truckers and sold by American owned businesses. The What **Family They Why **Feed
You may be wondering why I didn't choose something that pointed out that it is a HORSE product. Do you remember that younger version of me I told you about a while ago? Well, she is still here. I still want to be a part of the wildlife, exotic animals in any way possible. My goal is to create the healthiest line of animal feed possible, one species at a time.
American Family Feed Co. came to Life in October 2015, by 2022 we had outgrown our original manufacturing facility in California and moved all manufacturing to Muenster Texas. Being closer to our ingredients and supply chain will insure fresher products and less time in transit. We sell to retail stores and Direct to your ranch in bulk. We also supply licensed private dealers throughout the United States. Please visit the links for either Ranch Direct or Dealer for more information. We are accepting new dealers all over the US, so anyone who may be interested just hit that button and read the Q & A before you fill out the form. We are shipping about every 6-8 weeks currently so please keep that in mind when planning your orders.
The first 7 years were exciting and rewarding, full of lots of challenges and lessons learned. I am elated to move into the next chapter where opportunities abound, friendships develop and growth continues.
To all my customers, Thank You for believing in me.
Jessi Barba Logistics Manager and Customer Service Representative for Southern California
" The horse obsession started for me when I was 7 years old. My passion has developed over the years and now I am raising my family surrounded with the company of our 4 horses. My favorite thing about the small town we live in is walking out my back porch and hearing the excited calls from the barn. My family and I enjoy trail riding and the occasional Barrel Racing jackpot at our local arena. When I am not getting our loads lined up, trucks enroute and logistics handled, I am out helping customers any chance I can. In my spare time I take care of clients horses and pets who have some pretty specific needs. Some of my favorite clients include draft horses and gypsy vanners , complete with mares, foals and stallions. Dont get me wrong, I love all animals large and small...except spiders and snakes, a girl has her limits. I work in the Southerna Californian area so if you are in need of anything in that region, I am your gal!"