Farm Run Feedback

What a beautiful day it was to toodle around from farm to farm!  And what exciting things I discovered along the way!

• John Herron and Greg Hager of Landis Gourmet Mushrooms are starting to build their operation.  They are adding more growing rooms in the basement of the mill.  Soon they will get a larger sterilization drum in place to sterilize the cardboard on which they grow the mushrooms.  Lookout mushroom world!
• Lee Menius of Wild Turkey Farms is really growing gang-busters.  He has increased his chicken flock for eggs, is thinking about adding a small number of heritage turkeys, and might even get some rabbits!  He has also agreed to partner with the Local Food Club as a vegetable producer for the fall and winter.  We'll have an on-farm tour and fundraiser this summer to get some "seed money" for the coldframes and other things needed to raise vegetables year-round.  Woo-hoo!!!
• Pat Roberts of Bird Brain Ranch is gearing up for the new Davidson farmers' market as well as the upcoming on-farm event at their place.  Check the earlier post about the event...it takes place next Saturday.  Should be a great time for the whole family!!!
• Natalie Veres of Grateful Growers is really getting some good, and worthy, press.  For those of you who didn't see it, there's a great article in the Observer this week on a pork-tasting they held in Charlotte.  They've also announced a new product, which I'm looking forward to trying these Thinkfurters.   Hooray for locally and sustainably grown, hot dogs!!!
• Art Duckworth of Apple Orchard Farm has a new product as well.  Art is a beekeeper, and he is taking the wax left over after he extracts the honey and having it made into lip balm.  All natural ingredients...in many flavors: unflavored, cherry, orange, raspberry, apple, spearmint, and peppermint.