Company History

Rose Acre Farms began as a small family operation with 1,000 hens, but has grown to become one of America's largest egg producers. Today, we remember the company's history while still honoring the Rust family's values that have characterized Rose Acre Farms from the beginning.

Our Mission

As a leading egg producer in the United States, Rose Acre Farms believes that providing quality eggs and egg products and being a leader in animal welfare go hand in hand. Rose Acre Farms is a United Egg Producer (UEP) certified company, so our husbandry practices conform to rigorous standards designed to provide a high standard of living for all of our birds.

In addition to standards set by UEP, the FDA, and other regulatory entities, Rose Acre Farms goes above and beyond minimum requirements to ensure the health and welfare of our flocks. From giving each bird proper handling and care throughout their life cycles, to staying at the forefront of scientific research on how to maximize a flock’s well-being, Rose Acre Farms is committed to producing high-quality eggs and egg products and leading the way in animal stewardship. 

Our Values

Every Team Member is Essential

Goodness and Integrity Matter

Good Stewards of Our Resources

Steadfast Commitment to Our Customers and Community

  • A painting of the early Rose Acre Farms structures, with a chicken standing on a fence in the foreground..

    1930s

    The first two Rose Acre hen houses were constructed and had 500 hens each - a significant number for that time. The first commercial Rose Acre Farms eggs were sold.

  • 1940s

    The Rust Family sold eggs to local produce markets.

  • 1950s

    David Rust began selling eggs at the Indianapolis Farmer's Market and small grocery stores. Grocery store owners asked for store delivery, so David started an egg route and purchased eggs from local farmers in Jackson County to supplement the eggs from his hens.

    The first Rose Acre Farms egg laying house was built.

  • 1960s- 1980s

    Rose Acre Farms continued to expand throughout the Midwest.

  • 1990s

    Three new Midwest facilities were added to Rose Acre Farms, and the company began to expand into the Southern U.S.

  • 2000s

    Expansion continued with the addition of five other facilities throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest United States.

  • Present Day

    Rose Acre Farms is an industry leader in egg production with 16 facilities in seven states. The Rust family is still active in the company.

Rose Acre Farms: A Tradition of Excellence

Even as it has grown to become the second-largest egg producer in the United States, Rose Acre Farms retains the family-owned values of excellence and integrity that characterized the business in its infancy back in the 1930s. Today, the family remains involved in the company's day-to-day activities.

Business Beginnings: A Commitment to Meeting Customer Needs

David Rust began selling his family’s shell eggs to corner grocery stores in the early 1940s. His reputation as a high-quality, trustworthy egg supplier grew, and he started buying eggs from other farmers to meet the growing demand from city grocers. By 1954, Rust had enough business to purchase 40 acres of land and start expanding his own flocks.

A History of Innovation and Stewardship

From the beginning, Rose Acre Farms has been committed to innovation and stewardship. In the 1960s, Rose Acre Farms devised the first inline egg processing operation in the country—cutting down costs through increased efficiency while also improving food safety. Ongoing innovation and quality improvements, as well as commitment to the health of Rose Acre Farms flocks, spread the business to other cities. As the company expanded, the Rust family took great care to maintain the founding values of Rose Acre Farms, always growing the organization without compromising quality, food safety, or animal health. 

Streamlined Production Ensures Quality and Efficiency

From how chickens are bred to the way they are raised, from how layers are cared for to the feed they eat, Rose Acre Farms successfully streamlines its operations within the organization. Streamlined production ensures that company values are never compromised, that the highest standards of quality and animal care are met, and that customers can count on Rose Acre Farms as a trusted egg supplier.

At Rose Acre Farms, the tradition of excellence continues. Even as our company continues to grow and expand, our small-town, family-owned values of service and quality never waver. We look forward to exceeding our customers’ expectations for years to come.

graphic illustrating the inline egg processing operations developed by Rose Acre Farms