Sanderson Farms : Jan 14, 2021 - SANDY BUI’S FARM - The Bui Family

SANDY BUI'S FARM - The Bui Family

'The old farm was built over 20 years ago, and it was so different. We had to operate the cool cells by hand and the Rotem was old and difficult to operate. The new farm we built has a new Rotem, new cool cell system, new live program and everything is automatic.'

- Sandy Bui, Palestine Production Broiler Grower -

Nearly 20 years ago, Sandy Bui and her husband, Le, started growing chickens for Sanderson Farms. It all started in Port Arthur, Texas, where Sandy, a cosmetologist and salon owner, was cutting hair for one of her customers, who told her about a six-house broiler farm for sale in Franklin, Texas.

'One day, one of my customers came into the salon talking about the chicken business,' said Sandy Bui. 'He told me about Sanderson Farms being a Mississippi based company with a division in Bryan, Texas. I went to see the farm one day and thought 'I think my life will fit in with chicken farming,' and then we bought it.' With the advice of a salon customer and a quick farm visit, the Bui family was well on their way to beginning their career in the poultry industry.

In 2015, the Bui family sold their farm that produced chickens for the company's Brazos Production division and built a new, eight-house broiler farm in Palestine, Texas. The investment of building new chicken houses meant modern farming techniques and new technology for Sandy Bui's Farm.

'The old farm was built over 20 years ago, and it was so different,' said Bui. 'We had to operate the cool cells by hand and the Rotem was old and difficult to operate. The new farm we built has a new Rotem, new cool cell system, new live program and everything is automatic.'

Even though the technology is updated, Bui still checks on the farm every hour during the day, out of habit, to make sure the farm is running smoothly. To help with operation of the farm, Sandy's son-in-law, Hung Kim, is there daily to assist.

Amie Bland, broiler flock supervisor for Sanderson Farms' Palestine, Texas production division, says that Bui's knowledge and experience is unparalleled. 'It helps that she's been growing chickens for 19 years, because she hasn't had all the computers and the technology,' said Bland. 'She knows from the ground-up how things should work and she takes pride in her farm.'

Bui and her husband, Le, have been married for 39 years and they have four children and seven grandchildren, whom they love to visit. The Bui family believes being around farming teaches their children and grandchildren that hard work gives purpose in life.

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