In the rolling hills of Etowah County, Alabama, just south of Boaz, Matt Burnett lives a life that seamlessly blends family, farming, and real estate. For over 27 years, Matt and his wife, Carol, have made their family cattle farm the heart of their home, raising two daughters, Katie and Mattie, while managing the demands of their agricultural business. With roots deep in Northeast Alabama, Matt’s life and career are a testament to hard work, adaptability, and a deep love for the land.
His eldest daughter, Katie, is a registered nurse working toward her Nurse Practitioner degree, and she lives nearby with her husband, Dalton Casey. Meanwhile, their younger daughter, Mattie, juggles a full-time job while attending college, still calling the family farm home. “Carol keeps the home front going,” Matt says, reflecting on the pivotal role his wife plays as he splits his time between the family’s farm and his career in real estate. It’s this dynamic balance that has allowed Matt to thrive in two demanding industries, farming and land sales, all while staying grounded in family.
Matt’s love for helping others shines through in his work as a real estate agent, where he specializes in buying and selling farms. It’s not just about the transactions for him; it’s about connecting people to the land. “I get a lot of enjoyment visiting different farms, meeting with the owners, getting to know them, and finding the right buyer for them,” he explains. Every sale represents a unique story, and Matt takes pride in helping clients fulfill their dreams, whether it’s passing on a cherished family farm or finding the perfect property for a new buyer. “It’s not just a real estate transaction to them,” he adds. “You are helping them fulfill their dream.”
“Every sale represents a unique story, and I take pride in helping clients fulfill their dreams, whether it’s passing on a cherished family farm or finding the perfect property for a new buyer.”
Matt Burnett
While Matt’s career in real estate has flourished, his roots in farming run just as deep. His family’s history in poultry farming spans more than three decades, starting in the mid-80s when Matt’s father built two poultry houses through Goldkist. Matt soon added two more, and together they ran four houses, also raising cattle and baling hay. “Poultry, cattle, and hay just go good together,” Matt says, reflecting on the synergy that allowed their farm to thrive. After Pilgrim’s Pride bought out Goldkist, the family continued raising chickens until eventually stepping away from the poultry business after 30 years.
However, Matt’s innovative thinking didn’t let the poultry houses sit idle. Instead, he leased the facilities to a local farmer who raises quail and pheasant, demonstrating his resourceful approach to farming and business. “We still have the poultry houses on the farm, and they still have birds in them,” Matt says, showcasing how he found a way to keep the facilities productive, even without chickens.
Matt’s foray into real estate began in the mid-90s when he started buying, selling, and trading land in his area. Recognizing his passion for it, he obtained his real estate license in 2002, but it wasn’t until 2013, when he joined Southeastern Land Group (SELG), that he found his true niche. Initially, Matt was the first agent to represent SELG in North Alabama, back when it was still known as AlaLandCo. When the company rebranded to Southeastern Land Group in 2015, Matt continued to specialize in agricultural and rural properties. His extensive knowledge of the land and his agricultural background made him a perfect fit.
In addition to his role with SELG, Matt became one of the founding members of PoultrySouth, a division that focuses exclusively on poultry farm sales. With his background as a grower, he saw a unique opportunity to combine his firsthand farming experience with his real estate expertise. “Nobody was really focusing on poultry farm sales,” Matt recalls. “My experience as a grower and Ag property sales made it a good fit. I could just see that Robert and Randall [the founders of PoultrySouth] were growing something special, and it just made you want to be a part of it.”
Since then, Matt has witnessed the PoultrySouth Team grow exponentially, becoming the go-to experts for poultry farm sales in Alabama and beyond. “Sellers trust PoultrySouth,” Matt says with pride. “I seldom go meet with a potential seller that they don’t already know someone PoultrySouth has sold a farm for.” The team’s proven track record, strong referral network, and ability to navigate the complexities of poultry transactions have cemented their reputation as leaders in the industry.
For Matt, poultry farm sales are uniquely challenging, with far more moving parts than a typical land deal. “They’re normally more complicated, but you usually learn something from each transaction, and it helps on the next one,” he explains. However, with the backing of the PoultrySouth Team, Matt feels confident in tackling these challenges head-on. “One of the best things about the PoultrySouth Team is if you run into a problem or something you haven’t seen before, there’s so much experience there, and they have your back.”
Matt Burnett’s story is one of dedication, whether working long hours on the farm or closing a complex real estate deal. His ability to blend his agricultural background with his passion for real estate makes him a trusted advisor to farmers and landowners across Alabama. At the core of it all, his connection to the land and commitment to helping others realize their dreams remains steadfast. From his family farm in Etowah County to the sprawling properties he helps others buy and sell, Matt’s legacy is rooted in his love for the land and the people who depend on it.
