Big Piney Livestock LLC 

Big Piney Livestock LLC came from a long line of farmers. In 1834 James Sparks moved his family to Cades Cove and began farming the land. Nathan, James' son, was one of 4 major land owners in Cades Cove. He farmed 500 acres on Sparks Lane beginning in the 1850's. He bought a 5000 acre track with his brother James W. in 1874. That included the mountain balds of Spence and Russell Field. He also served as a delegate to the East Tennessee Farmers Convention in 1886. Nathan's son, John Thomas "Tom” Sparks, grew up and continued farming by herding cattle for other cattlemen on the Spence Field. He later was shot at his cabin on Spence Field in 1926. Asa Sparks, Tom's son, farmed Cades Cove land until the National Park bought him out in 1936. He bought a farm in Maryville that he farmed and later built a dairy operation. In addition, Asa returned to Cades Cove in 1946 where he farmed 450 acres until 1960. Leslie Sparks is one out of 12 of Asa's children. He got married and moved to Loudon Tennessee. In 1975, Leslie started his own farm “Sparks Farm” and owned cattle for many years. This leads us to the current owners. Leslie’s son, Carson Sparks owns the farm with his son, Cody Sparks, and son-in-law, Bret Browder and their families. They are slowly expanding and the name has been changed to Big Piney Livestock LLC. Today, they are continuing to raise beef cattle and are also offering meat by the pound. Our meat is USDA certified and in vacuum sealed packages. Big Piney Livestock LLC takes great pride in their work and is grateful for the community's support.