A century-old Indiana farm is making a major investment in its future, expanding its egg and swine operations in southern Indiana in a move expected to create up to 63 jobs and generate new opportunities for local grain growers.
River View Farms, a fifth-generation, family-owned agricultural business headquartered in Orleans, plans to expand its operations by the end of 2029, marking one of the most significant business expansions in Orange County in recent years.
The investment includes a new 60,000-square-foot egg grading and packaging facility designed to double the company’s egg grading capacity. After that project is completed later this year, the company plans to add a new swine breeding facility and a biosecurity vehicle wash to support its growing livestock operations.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced the expansion, emphasizing its importance to rural economic development and the state’s agricultural industry.
“Indiana has a rich tradition of making and growing the products that keep families across the country fed,” Braun said. “River View Farms’ expansion in the Indiana Uplands region will create new jobs, boost the community’s rural economy, and strengthen the state’s agriculture sector.”
Expansion strengthens egg and pork production
The egg facility will improve River View Farms’ ability to grade and package eggs while enhancing logistics, reducing operational risks and supporting food safety and quality.
The subsequent swine expansion will increase the company’s breeding capacity while the dedicated biosecurity vehicle wash adds another layer of protection for its livestock operations.
Together, the projects are expected to create more than 60 new jobs across the company’s egg and swine businesses, providing a significant employment boost for the rural Orange County community.
But the economic impact extends beyond the company’s payroll.
River View Farms expects its growth to create additional opportunities for local growers and increase its purchases of locally produced grain. That could provide an important outlet for area crop producers by strengthening the connection between Indiana’s grain and livestock sectors.
For farmers navigating volatile commodity prices and tight margins, additional local demand for corn and other feed grains can be an important component of the regional agricultural economy.
“The farm and family are deeply connected to Orleans, so we are very proud to invest in the area to help support the community through growing job opportunities and economic development,” said Bryan Johnson, president of River View Farms.
“We are proud to expand and secure our mission to produce food and look forward to using our resources to make our community a better place to live and work for generations ahead.”
A century of Indiana agricultural production
River View Farms traces its roots to 1920, when its founders purchased the original farmstead in Orleans. More than 100 years later, the business remains headquartered in the community where it began.
Today, the diversified agricultural operation includes hog, egg, pullet and crop production. In addition to its Orleans operations, the company runs an egg processing facility in Washington, Indiana, and employs more than 200 Hoosiers.
The planned expansion represents a significant investment in the company’s long-term production capacity while reinforcing its ties to the rural community where the family built its business.
For Indiana agriculture, the project also illustrates how livestock and poultry operations can contribute to rural economic development through employment, food production and demand for locally grown crops.
Indiana is home to more than 53,500 farms, and agriculture contributes an estimated $35.1 billion to the state’s economy annually. The state recorded $6.35 billion in agricultural exports in 2023, reflecting the reach of Indiana-grown and Indiana-produced commodities in domestic and international markets.
Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich said businesses such as River View Farms are important contributors to the state’s broader economy and employment base.
“Indiana growers and farmers like River View Farms are a significant part of the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem that employs 1.2 million Hoosiers,” Goodrich said. “Indiana ranks top five nationally for small business survival thanks to the perseverance and resilience of entrepreneurs and small business owners.”
Goodrich said the company has established a lasting legacy in Indiana and that state officials look forward to its continued contributions to Hoosier careers and the Orange County community.
As construction and expansion move forward, River View Farms’ investment is poised to strengthen its egg and pork production capabilities while creating jobs and expanding opportunities for local grain suppliers.
For rural southern Indiana, the project is a reminder that investment in agricultural production can have effects well beyond the farm gate — supporting workers, crop growers and the communities that depend on agriculture for their economic future.
