My husband and I live in such a beautiful part of North Carolina. The food scene is particularly vibrant with wildly varied culinary offerings. We so enjoy sampling the many local eateries, especially the growing number of those that celebrate food from nearby farms. Less than a mile from my parents' home is a group of farms that we have driven by for twenty two years. It is hard to believe that one of the most popular malls in the state is also just a mile down the road. Talk about diverse scenery!
The sight of the red barn, the cows peacefully grazing, and crops ready for harvesting have been a welcome part of our local landscape. Mum and I recently stopped by the farm stand to pick up some gorgeous organically grown tomatoes and fresh eggs that had been laid that very day. We were cheerfully greeted by Robin who willingly allowed me to take photographs and answered some questions. She and Steve Herndon live on the farm, raising twenty five black Angus mix cattle, twenty three chickens, and a variety of vegetables. All this while working at full time jobs! Robin is enthusiastic and has great affection for her chickens who have amusing names such as Krispy Kreme (like the donuts), Blondie, and of course the one rooster is Foghorn Leghorn. She explained how each one has a distinct personality. The eggs are simply beautiful, varying in shades of white, ivory, and tan with the Ameraucana hen laying the most heavenly shade of pale blue!
Steve Herndon shared some of the family and farm history and then sent us down the road where his cousin Fred Herndon and wife Cherry have an idyllic farm. Cherry graciously showed us around the property, including their charming farmhouse that was renovated from the original 1910 structure that Fred's grandfather had built. The land is glorious with rolling hills, enormous pecan trees, and woods as far as the eye can see. The Herndons raise cattle and I was fortunate enough to photograph two week-old twins and a two day-old baby calf. Each cow and the one bull is named. Every single animal on both of these farms is obviously loved and tenderly cared for.
Across the road is Herndon Hills Farm where Fred's sister, Nancy Herndon and her family grow blueberries, blackberries and muscadine grapes. We've enjoyed picking fruit here for many years and it has provided wonderful childhood memories for us kids. You can see a pie Mum made from a recent visit here.
Other related families live on adjoining pieces of property in the area. According to research, William Herndon (1649-1722) came to America from Kent, England and settled in Virginia. Subsequent descendants settled in this area of Durham, North Carolina on land granted by Governor Richard Caswell following the Revolutionary War.
Today, how many families in America can claim to have continuously occupied the same land for well over two hundred years? These are people who take the stewardship of their individual and interconnected farms very seriously. As we pulled out of the driveway, we noticed both vehicles had bumper stickers that read, "NO FARMS, NO FOOD." - Indeed!
Check back for my next post where I will feature the beautiful eggs we picked up from Robin and Steve's chickens!
