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An interview with local farmer, and empty-nester, Judy McGary of Doe Run Farm.
I am definitely a fan of local eating and CSAs. Some farms are huge, while others are small. When Judy McGary of Doe Run Farms contacted me a few months back, I was eager to learn more about her small farm. She wrote, "We are also happy that you will let others know about our little farm," so I asked.
Interview With Judy McGary, Doe Run Farm
Besides being “empty nesters,” what inspired you to start Doe Run Farm?
We missed "being close to nature" after having lived a suburban life for so many years and being "caught up" in the hectic everyday way of life in the city. We are glad to be living a "quieter" way of life. Though we stay busy all of the time here on the farm, the surroundings and the pace is much different than when we worked in the city. My husband and I grew up on farms and we always knew one day we would have the opportunity to live on a farm again. There is nothing like being able to eat from your own garden year round - which we are able to do here, and to enjoy all the wonderful things that a farm life provides.
What is is like to own a farm in Tennessee?
Having a farm situated at the foothills of the Appalachians is like having been given a special gift. Every day you are gifted with the sight of lush green hills, an ever changing sky, flowers that amaze you with their color, the sounds of horses and cows in nearby pastures, and fresh clean air. What more could you ask for?
Do you grow strictly organic fruits and vegetables? If so, why did you choose this route on growing?
Yes, our farm is a Certified Organic farm. John just picked a couple of trays of pears from one of our fruit trees and it's comforting to me to know they have never had any chemicals used on them. Same goes for our apples in our small fruit orchard.
We chose to have our farm Certified Organic, because it tells your customers that you have certain standards that you must live up to with your growing methods. It gives your farm credibility. The things that are required of you to become Certified Organic, are really just things that a farmer who makes a living at farming probably does anyway.
If someone wanted to buy from you, where would they go?
For about five years we were regulars at the Franklin Farmer's Market, but our focus now is on our CSA (community supported agriculture) program from our farm. We have more of an opportunity to get to know the families that we grow for, and they have the opportunity to get to know us by offering the CSA. We like being able to visit with them when they pick up their shares. I especially like getting to meet the children.
Tell us a little more about your CSA program?
For one thing, we grow during the Winter as well as in the Summer. Our heirloom lettuce is in high demand, as is our mesclun (baby lettuce mix). Every week our customers tell us how much they enjoy it, and how their children have begun to enjoy eating green salad (an answer to a parent's prayer). We can't grow our lettuce fast enough really. Our winter CSA grows every year when its learned we offer all kinds of greens for salads, stir fry and juicing in the middle of winter. The shares for the winter have to be limited due to covered growing space.
We deliver our CSA share boxes into the Nashville and Franklin areas every week, during the Summer and the Winter. We still have a few shares left for the Winter, but all except those few were sold in the first month of registration.
For more information about Doe Run Farm, email them at drf@hughes.net.
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