Our Story & Cricket Farm

Near Vaucluse, South Carolina, Barton Bait Distributors, Inc. carries on a family cricket-farming tradition that began in 1966. Today, the farm is managed by Sam Barton, a fourth-generation cricket farmer.

Four generations of cricket farming

Grandpa Shuler: the beginnings in Orangeburg

Sam’s great-grandfather, known in the family as Grandpa Shuler, started the cricket farm in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He later moved the operation into a small room in the basement of his daughter’s home.

Sonny Barton: room to grow

Sam’s grandfather, Sonny Barton, took over and expanded the farm to include multiple buildings.

Russell Barton: a new location

Russell Barton moved the farm to a different location with multiple buildings. Those buildings were upgraded in the early 2000s.

Russell managed the farm alongside his sister, Patti, until she left in 2017 to expand her screen-printing business.

Sam Barton: the fourth generation

Sam Barton began taking on duties around 2018 and now manages the farm, continuing the work of the three generations before him.

From fishing bait to reptile feeders

For much of its history, the farm primarily supplied crickets to fishermen. Under Sam’s leadership, the business has shifted toward serving people who keep reptiles. Reptile customers now make up most of the business, while Barton Bait continues to serve anglers and their live-bait needs.

The farm today

With six warehouses full of crickets, Barton Bait brings generations of farming experience to today’s feeder-insect market. Our live banded crickets are available in a range of sizes and counts, with wholesale inquiries welcomed for orders of 10,000 or more.