Author: ArtsyChowRoamer

Visiting Moore Farm

SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN NORTH CAROLINA

On a recent trip to North Carolina, my sister asked if we wanted to go out to the farm and visit Sam. That being their good friend for over thirty years of Moore Farm. Since I get a lot of questions from my readers on gardening in a sustainable way I said sure! I'm always up for learning new things to pass on to my readers so pay attention if you are interested in learning what it’s like to be a farmer these days.

We had been there for a party some years back but had not returned since and upon hearing Sam was building a new home there my husband (Mr. Architect) and I were curious to see how the project was going. So we threw on our sneakers and loaded into the car for a visit.

Sam started the farm as a hobby some fifteen years ago with his wife Francis (who sadly, passed away three years ago). The idea was to grow fruits and vegetables along with a few chickens for eggs and a pig or two.

They wanted to be self sufficient, sustainable and create a place for retirement that would show their love for the hard work and the fun of watching things grow. Of course they also got the freshest foods for themselves in the bargain.

They started with ten acres and gradually added another thirteen. They laid out a master plan for themselves to get fruit trees planted, dig a well, build a barn and start building up the soil. The soil was not good; red, hard and poor quality causing Sam to have to purchase 100 cubic yards of compost to spread every year.

YOU MIGHT BE A FARMER

Sam eventually put in drip irrigation in the 40 x 125-300 foot plots. He built his first barn out of cedar off the property that included a kitchen with a wood stove.

They added improvements every year like solar panels and high agricultural tunnels over the smaller planting fields so they could use smaller farming equipment that would allow for better crop management and rotation.

They grow vegetables, fruits and flowers (peonies to be exact-one of my favorites). The veggie season starts in January with the planting of seeds in the seed house where they are moved once started into the fields around late February to March depending on the weather.

In early spring they grow asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, salad greens, carrots and onions just to name a few. Mid summer it is tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, eggplant, squash corn, melons and beans. They even plant cane for syrup and molasses making.

Fall is back to as many Spring items as the weather will allow them to get mature along with winter melons and pumpkins. This sounds utterly exhausting to me and Sam assures me that the farm is a 24/7/365 kind of endeavor and you better love what you do or don’t take it on! Signs you might be a farmer if willing to go through this kinda work program.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS

Sam likes to talk about his pigs and chickens. The farm started with four pigs that he promptly named Chris P. Bacon, Sal T. Bacon, Sodom & Gomorah. 🤣

They are the reason he built himself a smokehouse and started making his own hams and bacon as well as other yummy pig stuff! My sister has had some of his sausage and doesn’t like to buy it from the grocery anymore (that’s what eating fresh will do to ya)!

I laughingly asked Sam if he had a hard time naming pigs he knew he was going to slaughter (Don’t name them pigs unless you gonna call em lunch and dinner…). He laughed but said no.

He feels animals are necessary on a farm because they eat the pulled weeds, all the spoilage from the fields (his friend designed and built a mobile chicken coop for him for just that reason), and in the right scale, provide fertilizer that doesn’t cause any earth damage.

He is proud to say that he has not had to purchase eggs or pork products in years although he wishes he grew enough grains to finish out their feedings after “free ranging”. Have you ever thought about starting a garden yourself? Check out the video below to get started!

Sam works the farm now with his good friend Sarah, a few family members who help sometimes and the odd occasional high school student who is showing signs they might be a farmer too. Their first priority has always been to preserve and eat what they grow while sharing with friends and family.

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

They do service the North Park Farmers Market in Burlington, the Chapel Hill Farmers Market and the Elon Market with what they harvest as well.

While they do not really net a profit (most small scale farmers never do) they do manage to pay the taxes, input costs and eat very well. They have also managed to pay off most the infrastructure costs, equipment and buildings over a 10-15 year period.

As I said earlier, Sam is building a house on the property. It has taken almost a year and will be completed in time for him to get moved in and host his usual Christmas Eve breakfast bash. His floor plan is a good one (so say yours truly and hubby); a manageable foot print with a large open kitchen to the living room with a wood burning stove meant for entertaining.

Large windows open above with a see through garage type door leading out to the wrap around porch to catch the breezes for indoor outdoor parties. The master bedroom and bath are on the same floor with an elevator which will come in handy for many reasons.

It is well planned with details and finishes given good thought particularly in the sustainability category. The finished product turned out lovely and we can’t wait to see it in person!

FARMING IS A LOT OF HARD WORK

Their biggest issues continue to be climate change, bugs and WEEDS! I have that in capital letters because it is the thing that has to be done over and over by hand and what Sam hates doing the most.

He insists if they come up with a robot that can do it, he will be the first one in line to buy it! They are always learning about the business and use few chemicals on the farm; again looking to sustainability.

The work is hard both physically and financially but it keeps them in shape and out in the fresh air with plenty of good food to eat! Lily is the official guard dog and furry farm companion. Such a face! The latest edition is Charlie; an adopted middle aged beagle who is a joyful companion for her.

CONCLUSION

Our day at the farm was a lot of fun. If you got this far than it could be a sign you might be a farmer too. Check out Moore Farm in Burlington, NC. Pick up some fruit and veggies, give the pigs, Lily, and Charlie a pat. Tell Sam, Artsy sent ya! You might want to read some other blogs under Edible Fare and hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me hear from you if you make a visit and try some of Sam’s luscious tomatoes. Until next time…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

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TO MY READERS: This post was updated with new info, pics and videos on 9/3/20. Just chatted with Sam to get an update on the farm. I figured with everyone staying in for quarantine 2020 and cooking more that he probably had his hands full with folks wanting to get a hold of his fresh veggies and pork products.

Sam had a hard time finding pigs since many farmers were forced to put animals down when they couldn’t sell their products on the open markets. The food system substantially altered during this 2020 crisis. He finally found two “hereford pigs”; called so because of their red and white markings similar to a hereford cow. Because they are red he naturally had to name them Lucille Ball and Gina Davis. Enjoy the little video of them below.

Sam says while the crisis changed their personal and business life it certainly did not have any effect on farming life. The seasons continue, the rains fall (or not), temperatures fluctuate, and the “damn” weeds grow. The work never stops, but it keeps getting tougher physically. 

That during a time where demand has exceeded supply everyone wants fresh food to cook at home with most everyone sold out. It has been a good spring and summer sales season and fall should be as well.

Their distribution processes have changed. He posts his availability on Sunday or Monday, takes orders on-line, and delivers on Thursday. He drops off product on the customer's front porch and they leave payment.

No personal contact, unless the customer wants it. With the Farmer's Markets closed down, this is a model which has worked for about 30 families and works much better for Sam. Will this "hold up" after there is a vaccine? Who knows? But at least, for a while he says, it's nice to be appreciated.

It will be a very busy fall getting more plants into the ground plus canning, canning, canning to get the food pulled from the summer planting edible through the winter. The work never stops-could you be a farmer? 🤔