On June 12 and 13, 2018 I visited “The Farm” in Dobson, NC. This husband and wife farm has a produce and agribusiness. Their top produce is cucumbers, tomatoes, and winter squash. They also produce watermelon, cantaloupe, okra, green beans, squash, zucchini, peppers and broccoli. Using hydroponics in a greenhouse, they produce lettuce, kale, and swiss chard. They have recently added chickens for egg production and after their fall agribusiness shuts down they slaughter their pigs for sausage. They have recently started a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program with over 30 members. The cost to join was $300 for 10 weeks of fresh food.
They have around 90 acres of produce at two different locations and are also harmonized GAP certified which means that they adhere to the highest food safety standards from the USDA. Their agribusiness starts in September and runs until November each year. This is a family fun business that features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn box, pizza farm, playground, hayrides, chicken coop, barrel train rides, sunflower patch, rat race, bouncin’ barnyard, pipe slide, animal viewing area, popcorn garden, apple cannon, fire pit, petting zoo, and concessions. This business works well with the local school systems and childcare centers for field trips that are planned by the owner Mayghan Watson, a former elementary teacher. Mayghan makes sure there are lots of educational opportunities for children.
While at the farm, I learned a great deal about the business, helped load and clean cucumbers on a conveyor belt cleaning machine, make deliveries, and prepare items for the upcoming CSA. I noticed how hard the work was, but could see the dedication that Mayghan and her husband Josh have to The Farm and the community!
