December Farm Run Producers

Pick-up for the December farm runs will take place on Saturday, December 8 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at the Bradford Store. If you are unable to come, consider using the comment feature to see if someone from the group can pick up on your behalf. (Or you can send a friend or neighbor in your stead.)

The December farm run will include these farms:

Grateful Growers

Natalie & Cassie made recent news with their successful effort to bring Alice Waters to Charlotte. Working 10 acres in nearby Denver, NC, they raise chicken, pork, and shitake mushrooms. Their animals are raised on pasture which are not treated with chemical fertilizers or herbicides. Animal diets are free from hormones, antibiotics, and meat byproducts. Natalie ensures the animals are safe, free from stress, and able to behave naturally.

• Pork (various cuts)

Apple Orchard Farm

Located on 10 acres in Gaston County, Art Duckworth's farm is a fabulous example of small farming done right. Art's animals are pastured; during my visit his pigs rooted in the woods, cows cooled off in the pond, and chickens ran to and fro picking insects from the dirt. His meats are very lean and free from antibiotics, hormones, steroids, chemical additives and animal proteins.

• Fully-cooked boston butts (hickory smoked for 8 hours)
• Black Angus Beef (various cuts)
• Eggs (limited supply)

Bird Brain Ranch

BirdBrain Ostrich Ranch is a small farm with approximately 50 ostrich of various ages on the farm at any time. Pat Roberts's livestock is raised chemical free, without steroids or growth hormones.

Ostrich is a red poultry with a texture and appearance very much like that of beef and venison. Ostrich steak can be prepared as any fine red meat, and is always great on the grill! Ground ostrich is a great alternative for reducing fat and cholesterol in any of your favorite recipes for meat loaf, tacos, and burgers.

• Ostrich (various cuts)

Dodge Lodge Farm

Dodge Lodge Farm uses only natural and organic growing methods in Guilford County. There are three other farming operations partnering with Dodge LodgeFarm to meet consumer demand- one in Southwestern Virginia, co-managed by Mike Causey's brother and the other two in eastern North Carolina in Wayne and Duplin Counties, managed by the Rose and Cox families. These vegetables and fruits outside the Dodge Lodge Farm Guilford County location are not totally organic but they are pesticide free and deliciously farm fresh and heart healthy. All farm operations involved with Dodge Lodge Farm are moving toward 100% Organic Certification.

• Vegetables
• Greens
• Apples

Milk and Honey Farm

Small family farm located in the northeast corner of Iredell County that goes by the motto, "Good, Honest, Low-Tech Food," which means in part that they don't use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Eric and Melissa Brown believe in locally grown food, grown with local resources, local know-how, and personal attention.

• Vegetables
• Greens
• Dried Shitake Mushrooms
• Honey