We arrived right at 1 p.m. thinking we would be the first people there, but there was already a crowd ready to take the first tour of the day. As we joined the crowd, Richard Holcomb, owner and farmer, introduced himself and explained that his 55-acre farm is both animal and crop; producing antibiotic- and hormone-free chickens, lamb and goat and organically grown vegetables.
As we toured the farm, Holcomb took us past his bug- and worm-eating chickens, thus proving there is no such thing as vegetarian chickens! And very smart ducks that have learned to lay their eggs in the wood shed to avoid predators. Ending the guided tour, we were shown the crop fields producing a large variety of lettuces and heirloom vegetables. After, we were allowed to wander the farm on our own. I signed up for the Coon Rock Farm e-mail letter that comes weekly listing the weeks harvest is available for sale at the farm and at local farmer's markets.
Our next stop was to the McAdams Farm, a 125-year-old, three-generation farm located on Efland-Cedar Grove Road in Efland. Our guide, farmer Howard McAdams, took us to their strawberry fields just two weeks shy of the picking season. This is a pick-your-own strawberry farm. The McAdamses also had some impressive lettuce, the biggest bunches I have ever seen, a variety of flowers and vegetables and herbs, one being cinnamon basil, which I thought very unusual and couldn't imagine what that would be used in.
We were then guided to the greenhouse, where there were hundreds of newly planted vegetables, some ready to plant in the fields. And lastly we were taken to see the cows and lambs, which were taking shade under a tree. Cut flowers, veggies, and strawberries are available at their on-farm stand as well as at the Carrboro and Southern Village farmer's markets. The McAdamses also make available homegrown natural Angus beef.
Just off of Hwy. 119 on Dickey Mill Road in Mebane, we stopped at Stagg Creek Farms. Unbeknownst to us, this farm is actually located in Alamance County. However, it's just at the county line. The Kirbys own and work this 80-acre, one-time tobacco farm now specializing in producing prawns (freshwater shrimp), vegetable crops, cows and pigs (part for personal consumption and part for resale).
Jeff Kirby was our guide, and with the enthusiasm of a proud father, gave us an in-depth description of prawns, explaining their high content of Omega 3 and protein (much healthier than saltwater shrimp), their aggressive behaviors and how they are harvested, which is every October. Part of the harvesting is done through an invention Kirby designed himself.
Keeping us company throughout the tour was the family's 15-year-old lab and a pack of rat terriers. My favorite does the Chinese splits.
The Kirbys sell their prawns at local farmer's markets and to individuals visiting their farm. They will be holding a Prawn Harvest and Fun at the Farm Day on October 3.
And to my disappointment (as I was really enjoying myself), we came to our last farm for the day, the Captain J.S. Pope Farm, which is also located in Cedar Grove on Efland-Cedar Grove Road. This farm, owned, managed and worked by third, fourth and fifth generations, specializes in grass-fed hybrid lambs raised in a sustainable manner.
A tour of the 150-year-old house and farm itself was available. We took a very informative riding tour of the farm, taking in acres and acres of several hundred lamb and sheep. After the tour we enjoyed lamb burgers on the porch of the house, were able to purchase several lamb products and picked up some of their recipes. The Pope Farm sells to many local restaurants in the area, farmer's markets and to individuals via web and phone.
To get the full experience of each farm, we allowed ourselves about an hour for each, and finished just after 5 p.m. We could have easily spent all day if the tour had started in the morning. I would recommend this tour to families, foodies, anyone who enjoys learning about farm life, the outdoors, hard work, farm animals and good, wholesome food. We plan to go again next year and the year after ... 36 more farms to see.
Tina Fuller works with the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. The agency will produce an agri-tourism campaign in 2011.
