Ashton Hood is the Founder and CEO of Shepherd Boy Farms, a high-end freeze-drying company specializing in premium pet food and treats. What began as a small operation raising goats in the pasture has evolved into a leading pet food manufacturer known for its commitment to quality and innovation.
Under Ashton’s leadership, Shepherd Boy Farms has expanded into both co-manufacturing and its own brand line, serving independent retailers and discerning pet owners who demand the best. His entrepreneurial drive and passion for creating exceptional products have positioned Shepherd Boy Farms at the forefront of the rapidly growing natural pet nutrition space.
Ashton, take us back to the beginning. What inspired you to start Shepherd Boy Farms?
I wanted to get out of the corporate rat race and get back to something real. I was tired of spending my life doing work that didn’t feel meaningful. I grew up visiting the family farm out in Kansas, and I wanted to get back on the land. Shepherd Boy Farms was born from wanting to return to my roots, build something with my own hands, and make a real difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them.
You’ve built Shepherd Boy Farms from a family venture into a national brand. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned along the way?
There have been countless lessons. Entrepreneurship has a way of humbling you fast. I’ve learned the importance of patience, resilience, and being willing to pivot quickly. I’ve also learned that surrounding yourself with people who share your values—and who are smarter than you in the right areas is the only way to build something that lasts.
What sets Shepherd Boy Farms apart in such a competitive pet nutrition market?
We never compromise on quality ingredients, and we’ve become true experts in the craft of freeze-drying. It’s like cooking: the best meals start with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a master chef who knows how to bring out their best. That’s our formula- superior ingredients and unmatched technical expertise in freeze-drying.
You recently announced a major expansion with a new 100,000-square-foot facility in Greensburg, Indiana. What does this mean for the future of the company?
We’re incredibly excited. Many companies in this space brought in private equity early to scale quickly. We took a different path- we perfected our craft, bootstrapped, and put in the blood, sweat, and tears to grow responsibly. This expansion puts us at the forefront of a rapidly growing category and gives us the capacity to fully support our partners for years to come.
Combining both facilities, Shepherd Boy Farms can now produce up to 20 million pounds annually. How does this expansion strengthen your co-manufacturing and private label capabilities?
Scale brings efficiency. Everything we learned from starting in a garage and growing to where we are today has informed the design of this new facility. With greater capacity and smarter workflows, we can better support our co-manufacturing partners and offer faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective production.
You’ve mentioned that co-manufacturing has been part of Shepherd Boy Farms since the beginning. What makes your approach unique?
We genuinely love the co-manufacturing side of the business. Our mission is to improve the lives of pets everywhere. The more freeze-dried nutrition we help bring into the world- whether under our label or another brand’s, the bigger the impact we make. We treat every partner’s product like it’s our own.
The new facility includes state-of-the-art dicing and proprietary freeze-drying equipment. What innovations are you most excited about?
Our “secret sauce” is absolutely in the freeze-drying. When we started, I couldn’t afford the high-end commercial freeze dryers, so I studied every research paper I could get my hands on and built and refined our own technology. Today, our innovations give us one of the highest-quality finished products in the world, and we’re proud of that.
Beyond added capacity, are there plans for new product lines or categories in the near future?
Absolutely. We’re working on several innovations that haven’t been seen in the freeze-dried category before. Our freeze-dried goat milk was the first of its kind, and that momentum continues. We’re just getting started.
How do you approach research and development when creating new products or formulations?
Health comes first always. Trends come and go, and while it’s important to stay aware of what’s new, we don’t chase ingredients that don’t align with our core principles. Every product must be healthy, purposeful, delicious, and sustainable. If it doesn’t check all four boxes, we won’t make it.
Shepherd Boy Farms is known for transparency and U.S. sourced ingredients. Why is that so important to you?
I think the food industry- both human and pet has often pulled the wool over consumers’ eyes about what’s actually in their food. People today want honesty and real ingredients they can trust. We want to be a place pet parents can turn to with confidence. Supporting U.S. farmers is also personal to us—we love knowing our ingredients come from families and farms we know and trust.
What’s it like running a fast-growing, family-owned company in today’s pet industry?
In one word – chaotic! My team jokes that whenever I walk into a room, we might be about to pivot. Not in a reckless way, but because we’re always looking for opportunities to get better and stay ahead of the industry. It keeps things exciting and keeps us hungry.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Shepherd Boy Farms and what are your long-term goals for the brand?
When I started Shepherd Boy Farms, I never imagined we’d be here 10 years later – a global brand, one of the largest freeze-drying co-manufacturers in the country, and a trusted name for pet parents. Our long-term goals are simple: continue growing awareness of the freeze-dried category, keep innovating, and improve the lives of pets every single day.
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