Local farmer files lawsuit against poultry company, seeks millions in compensation
Local farmer files lawsuit against poultry company, seeks millions in compensation
15 hours ago
Video: Local farmer files lawsuit against poultry company, seeks millions in compensation – WBBJ TV
GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — One local farmer is facing financial turmoil after countless months of no operation.
Crowson Coop Farms is filing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against a company called Reliable Poultry.
Mr. Crowson is a poultry producer for Tyson Foods and Tyson requires every one of their producers to use this particular company when building their million dollar chicken houses.
“Every farm in Humboldt was required to use Reliable Poultry–this company is an Arkansas-affiliated company,” said Hunter Crowson, poultry producer.
Dexter, Missouri Attorney Russ Oliver tells us how this has impacted Crowson’s farm.
“This is absolutely devastating for this young family. They’re $2.3 million in debt, they haven’t had chickens in their barns since November. Also eight months of no income and no chickens,” said Oliver.
“I was a former of employee of Tyson Foods, they relocated me over here. I have a lot of overview of how the operation works, and over the last year-and-a-half we found out that we never received a final electrical inspection and the reason that was brought up is because we were having terrible electrical issues,” said Crowson.
In the lawsuit, Crowson has copies where the chicken houses have failed electrical inspections by the state and various other safety inspections. Oliver claims Reliable Poultry failed to use licensed electricians or apprentices to do electrical work.
“One time, whenever workers came out, Mr. Crowson asked them if they were legal to working in the United States, and at that time the entire crew packed up and left. They haven’t gotten it right after four different inspections by the state fire marshal,” said Oliver.
Tyson’s business model is to enter into arrangements with farmers like Crowson to care for and grow the chickens and eggs for Tyson.
These farmer invest millions of dollars in capital needed to build chicken houses pursuant to Tyson’s specifications.
“At a young age, I felt inspired and a calling, as crazy as that is. A calling on my life to be in the chicken business, and here I am. I get to spread light on the chicken business to help the small farmer,” said Crowson.
The most recent failed electrical inspection was on April 15, 2025.
Crowson seeks to gain up to $2.3 million in compensation for construction cost, lost profits, business losses and other damages.
We reached out to Reliable Poultry multiple times and have yet to receive a response. For more information on the entire lawsuit, click here.