Our mission is to foster a greater association among people who raise deer for commercial purposes. NADeFA® is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and ranching as an agricultural pursuit and serves its members through its educational programs and publications and by providing leadership in setting and maintaining quality standards.
The North American Deer Farmers Association® exists to:
Raising animals and tending the land is a way of life that has been handed down by our grandfathers and their fathers before them. Today many landowners are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the bills, and the outdoor way of life is fading from the North American landscape. Thankfully, deer farming is giving many families new ways to save the family farm and preserve the lush landscape for future generations.
Deer farming is one of the fastest growing industries in rural America, and it generates $7.9 billion for the U.S. economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs. This alternative agricultural pursuit is a promising way to preserve the traditional rural way of life while taking advantage of a booming industry. Today, many Americans raise and work with whitetail deer every day. Here are a few quick facts about deer farming:
Our Board of Directors
Chris Ezell 2026 – President
Ryan Halfman 2025 – 1st Vice President
Daniel Jennings – 2nd Vice President
Alan Hochstetler – 3rd Vice President
Dr. Hank Dimuzio 2025 – Treasurer
Shawn Schafer – Executive Director
Mark Cobb (2025)
Jacques deMoss (2025)
Brad Farmer (2025)
Juan Lino Garza (2024)
Brad Heath (2024)
Chad Jelinek (2026)
Fred Huebner (2024)
Steve Munz (2024)
Rich Meech (2024)
Chris Ryckman (2024)
Brandon Walker (2026)
Troy Zacchini (2026)
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