Meet Reec Swiney of Villa Rica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Reec Swiney.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into farming and animal rescue started in an unexpected way. I come from a background in media—radio, television, and public speaking—but I’ve always had a deep appreciation for nature, community, and hands-on work. When the world slowed down during the pandemic, my family and I got our first chickens just as a fun backyard project. What began as a small venture quickly grew into a full-blown passion.

Over time, we started rescuing more animals—many that had been neglected or surrendered—and I saw how therapeutic it was, not just for the animals but for the people interacting with them. That’s how Swiney Farms and Blackyard Chickenz were born. It’s now a fully licensed animal rescue and educational farm where we use these animals to teach kids about agriculture, sustainability, and compassion.

Today, we’re operating on 30 acres in Villa Rica, Georgia. We’ve blended my media experience with our mission, using social platforms and partnerships to create awareness, educate the public, and build a community around food security, animal care, and rural living. It’s been a beautiful and humbling journey from urban radio studios to muddy boots on a farm—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every bump has shaped who we are today. Balancing a full-time career in media with managing a farm and animal rescue hasn’t been easy. There was a learning curve—from animal care and land management to zoning laws and nonprofit regulations. We also faced challenges with space early on. Our original farm was just 1.5 acres, and trying to care for dozens of rescue animals while providing a safe, clean environment was a constant juggling act.

One of the toughest parts has been funding and infrastructure. Unlike traditional farms, our mission goes beyond agriculture—we’re rescuing animals, educating youth, supporting families, and even helping veterans with PTSD through work opportunities. That means we rely heavily on community support and partnerships to make it all work.

There were days when it felt overwhelming—especially when storms hit and flooded our property, or when animals needed emergency care. But those same challenges brought our family closer, strengthened our faith, and reminded us why we do what we do. It’s not easy, but it’s purposeful—and that makes all the difference.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do is really a blend of passion, purpose, and platform. On one side, I’m a full-time radio personality and media figure with years of experience in entertainment and community engagement. On the other, I run Swiney Farms and Blackyard Chickenz, a licensed farm animal rescue and educational farm that introduces children, families, and schools to agriculture and sustainability in a hands-on, meaningful way.

What sets me apart is the balance I’ve built between these worlds, media and mud, microphones and manure. I use my platform in media to amplify the work we’re doing at the farm and within our nonprofit, Positive American Youth, which has been serving the community for over 15 years. I also host a podcast called “Eggcellent Adventures”, where we talk about homesteading, farm life, food security, and everything in between. It’s a space where agriculture meets real talk, and it gives listeners a window into this unique lifestyle.

I’m also a full-time father, which means everything I do is through the lens of legacy, impact, and what I’m modeling for my children.

I specialize in connecting people to information, connecting youth to opportunity, and connecting communities to nature and animals. Through partnerships, social content, and events, we’ve created something that’s both educational and therapeutic for visitors.

What I’m most proud of is that we’ve made real impact with limited resources, rehabilitating animals that were once discarded, giving kids who’ve never been to a farm a chance to hold a goat or collect an egg, and offering veterans and single parents a moment of peace. It’s that blend of purpose and visibility that really makes our work different, and deeply rewarding.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a bit of an outlier, curious, observant, and always absorbing the world around me. I had the unique experience of being raised in a few different places, which gave me a well-rounded perspective early on. I was born in New Jersey but spent a significant part of my childhood living with my grandparents in rural North Carolina. That time instilled in me a deep sense of family and community. My grandparents were pillars of their town, always giving back and supporting others, and I had the privilege of watching them lead by example.

My mother was incredibly firm when it came to education. She made sure I took school seriously and built a strong academic foundation. Later on, I moved back to New Jersey to live with my father, where I developed a solid understanding of business, work ethic, and real-life skills. That period also sharpened my athletic abilities, especially in basketball.

In high school, I was fortunate to be part of a state championship football team at Immaculate Conception before transferring to Montclair High School (NJ) to pursue basketball at a more competitive level. That move opened doors for college recruitment and eventually led me to Georgia, where I earned a full athletic scholarship.

I played college basketball at both Atlanta Metropolitan College, where I began my collegiate career and was later inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame, and Southern Polytechnic State University, where I earned my degree in Business and Technical Communications. Being part of a high-performing team taught me the value of hard work and preparation. It also gave me lifelong friendships and a strong foundation that continues to guide me today in everything from media to farming.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackyardchickenz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reecswiney
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackyardchickenz
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackyardchickenz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackyardchickenz
• Other: https://www.ReecSwiney.com