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

Local Foods for the Holidays

We tasted over twenty different foods at the gathering on Saturday. We featured foods that would serve you well during holiday entertaining or gift-giving.

Here's the list:

Apple Orchard Farm Boston Butt
Fully cooked boston butts (hickory smoked for 8 hours) for Christmas come with a pint of BBQ sauce and will feed up to 15 people. Send email to Art Duckworth at appleorchardfarm@bellsouth.net by December 18 for pickup at his farm before Christmas. Farm is located in Stanley, about 25 miles west of Bradford Store.
Grateful Growers Uncured Ham
Available as 3-pound boneless roasts these are great for slicing. Coat the entire roast with a blend of favorite seasonings and cook the ham at 225° for about an hour a pound (or to 160 degrees internal temperature). For more recipes, visit http://www.ggfarm.com/, "Cooking Our Food". Fresh (uncured) Ham - $4.50/lb. Order through the Local Food Club’s December farm run to have delivered the first week in December. Call 828-234-5182 to pick up your order by appointment at the farm, located in Denver, NC, about 25 miles northwest of the Bradford Store.
Meadow Creek Grayson
Reminiscent of an Italian Taleggio or French Livarot, this cheese stands well on its own but is also excellent with bread or dried fruit. As a dessert course, serve lightly drizzled with honey. Also pairs well with a full-bodied white wine or a light red, but also with dessert wines. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: minimum order before shipping charges are applied is $20.00. Call 1-888-236-0622 to order. Last day to order is December 17 for Christmas delivery. Shipping from Galax, VA. The local food club will order from Meadow Creek in December if there is sufficient interest.
Meadow Creek Appalachian
This cheese has a gentle, buttery taste with earthy undertones and citrus notes. It can be used in a variety of dishes, and is excellent on a cheese plate or with bread. Pair with Pinot Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: minimum order before shipping charges are applied is $20.00. Call 1-888-236-0622 to order. Last day to order is December 17 for Christmas delivery. Shipping from Galax, VA. The local food club will order from Meadow Creek in December if there is sufficient interest.
Meadow Creek Mountaineer
Styled after the traditional alpine cheeses, this has a smooth supple texture and a natural brushed rind. It is aged a minimum of six months, giving it a concentrated flavor, toasted and nutty with a hint of butterscotch. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: minimum order before shipping charges are applied is $20.00. Call 1-888-236-0622 to order. Last day to order is December 17 for Christmas delivery. Shipping from Galax, VA. The local food club will order from Meadow Creek in December if there is sufficient interest.
Meadow Creek Whitetop
Surface ripened with a tender, downy white rind, this cheese has an ivory-colored paste with a velvety, fudgy texture and delicate tangy flavor. This cheese is excellent with crusty bread, honey, or a sweet breakfast pastry. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: minimum order before shipping charges are applied is $20.00. Call 1-888-236-0622 to order. Last day to order is December 17 for Christmas delivery. Shipping from Galax, VA. The local food club will order from Meadow Creek in December if there is sufficient interest.
Yellow Branch Farmstead Cheese
This cheese has a mild, buttery, full-bodied flavor that goes well with many foods. It is equally suitable as a dessert cheese and pairs well with fresh or dried fruit. It melts wonderfully and can be grated when chilled. The cheese has a long shelf life if kept in the refrigerator and wrapped properly. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: will cut and wrap to order and ship with a gift card. Deadline for Christmas orders is December 1. Orders can be emailed (mail@yellowbranch.com) or called in (828-479-6710). Shipping from Robbinsville, NC. The local food club will order form Yellow Branch in December if there is sufficient interest.
Yellow Branch Pepper Cheese
Award winning, this is made with jalapeno peppers organically grown in our garden and ripened to a bright red. The peppers add a spicy, piquant flavor. Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: will cut and wrap to order and ship with a gift card. Deadline for Christmas orders is December 1. Orders can be emailed (mail@yellowbranch.com) or called in (828-479-6710). Shipping from Robbinsville, NC. The local food club will order form Yellow Branch in December if there is sufficient interest.
Yellow Branch Holiday Tomato Basil Cheese
This cheese is made with fresh basil and dried tomatoes organically grown in the vegetable garden and adds a delicate tomato basil flavor to the creamy cheese. And it’s red and green for the holidays! Kim has small quantity available for sale at the Bradford Store. Or order from the farm: will cut and wrap to order and ship with a gift card. Deadline for Christmas orders is December 1. Orders can be emailed (mail@yellowbranch.com) or called in (828-479-6710). Shipping from Robbinsville, NC. The local food club will order form Yellow Branch in December if there is sufficient interest.
Goat Lady Dairy Smoky
This smoked cheese is formed and dried into a round and then smoked over pecan wood logs. Creamy white on the inside and toasty brown on the outside this tangy cheese must be tasted to be understood. Great as a snack with crackers or use it grated over hot steamed vegetables or pasta. Goat Lady Dairy does not ship, but orders can be placed through Kim at the Bradford Store.
Goat Lady Dairy Feta
This tangy cheese is saltier and drier than Fromage or logs and is delicious used in salads, pasta, pizza. Goat Lady Dairy does not ship, but orders can be placed through Kim at the Bradford Store.
Split Creek Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball
Made from Fromage Blanc flavored with cranberries and coated with walnuts, cheese balls are approximately 8-10 ounces. Serve as a dessert or appetizer. Order by phone at (864) 287-3921 or online through their website. Cheeses are available on a year-round basis at the farm or by shipment. Ship by UPS from Anderson, SC.
Barnwell Apple Cider
Odell Barnwell & Sons in Hendersonville blends several varieties of apples to make a deliciously sweet cider. This cider is not fermented, so it must be kept refrigerated. Excellent served warm or cold. Order through the Kim at the Bradford Store. Should be available through Christmas.
CounterCulture Coffee
Certified Organic •Shade-Grown • This year’s crop from our close friends at the La Trinidad shows the wonderful chocolate characteristic that defines this coffee. Available through Grateful Growers; can be picked up on local food club runs.
Homeland Creamery Eggnog
Thick and creamy, this is the holiday treat offered by Homeland Creamery. Their happy cows produce delicious eggnog, which yields happy people! Order through Kim at the Bradford Store. Should be available through Christmas.
Imladris Farm Shitake Dip
Walt and crew grow shitake mushrooms on their farm in Fairview, NC. They process these mushrooms into an easy-to-make dip. Just add sour cream or yogurt and salt to taste. Order through Kim at the Bradford Store.
Split Creek Fudge
Entered in national competition three times, this fudge has won three gold medals. Fudge is available in four flavors: Walnut, Pecan, Peanut Butter, and Plain. Order by phone at (864) 287-3921 or online through their website. Cheeses are available on a year-round basis at the farm or by shipment. Ship by UPS from Anderson, SC.
Yah’s Best Cranberry Salsa
Suzanne Crawford makes delicious salsa year-round, but her cranberry salsa really stands out during the holidays. This dip has medium heat and a sweet, cinnamon cranberry twist. Order through Kim at the Bradford Store.

Wish We Got Milk?

As many of you know, one of the big challenges for eating locally in this area is access to local milk. While we may be see dairy farms here and there, only a handful in the state actually have bottling facilities. Our closest dairy with a bottling facility is Homeland Creamery, which is where the Bradford Store gets its milk. It's located in Julian, in Guilford County, about 1.5-2 hours away.

During the last few weeks, I've established a relationship with a dairy farmer about 15 miles away that is interested in opening a bottling facility. This is an enormous enterprise, requiring an entirely separate business plan and operation on top of the labor-intensive work of managing the milk production.

Add to this the cost of equipment: well over $300,000. This upfront capital outlay is a giant obstacle to dairy farmers who dream of getting fairly paid for their product. I just learned at a conference that NC dairy farmers are underpaid for their milk, because the state runs a dairy deficit that requires milk to be imported from out of state, at the expense of its own dairy farmers. In addition, the farmer does not know what price the milk will yield until 2 to 6 weeks after the milk has left the farm.

I'm looking for ways to help this local farmer get his bottling operation up and running sooner rather than later. Some suggestions I've gotten so far include soliciting private investors and signing pledges of intent to purchase his milk (to use when approaching banks for loans). I'm interested in hearing what you all think about this topic...I think it would be a tremendous asset for us as a community to have access to fresh, (did I mention he's certified organic?) local milk.

Thoughts?

NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund

I attended a workshop today in Concord on agricultural development and farmland preservation. The general legislature allocated $8 million in grant money for agricultural development projects and conservation easements. The deadline for grant applications is December14. The primary applicant must be a county agency or a non-profit conservation group. Please pass along to any interested parties.

http://www.ncadfp.org/