This past week has been super exciting not only for homeschooling opportunities but for organics & buying local too! We have had three trips that have been most helpful and an awesome start to some great relationships!
Our trip yesterday was so local that I just have to share the story. Back last October as I started more intense research on local Organics I had a really hard time finding them. Until late one night, I found Mary L Farms on an organic listing website. Now I knew, growing up around here we had farms and dairy farms but NO IDEA any of them could possibly be organic...to my surprise yes there are! I had the pleasure of growing up with some of these folks and had no idea they are doing such great things! I went ahead and made contact through a form online to Mary L Farm to find out some more info and was shocked to find out they do Organic Grass Fed Beef, Organic Turkey, Organic Chicken, and sell Organic Milk to Organic Valley! Now what's a shock is it is less than 4 minutes from my home! Can you say WOW...can't get much more local than your neighbors!
I was diligently working on Organic Christians website and trying to get it going, went ahead and listed the farms such as Mary L and just spent time focused on it for a while. My husband goes to the grocery store right before CHRISTmas and (here goes God) sees the owner of Mary L Farm. Now keep in mind, my husband and I both grew up in this area and have been married for 10 years and now hubby sees him at the store....hmmmm! Well, okay that pushes me a little more to get in contact. Then again within the week my husband sees him again at another store! So now with this situation, we as a family, see God's hand. He leads us when we are watchful doesn't He, in the most amazing ways sometimes. I had put off going to meet farmers and wanted to take my time researching and understanding everything, but God's little push helped us say Hey, maybe we should do this NOW! Good stuff!
So yesterday, we had the absolute privilege of meeting the family of Mary L Farm and experience their entire organic farm. It was so wonderful! They have transitioned into an Organic Farm and seen the differences first hand of conventional milking vs. organic. They were the first dairy in North Carolina to go Organic! They have taken all necessary steps to provide an environment where the animals are nurtured and taken care of so that you can see the animals contentment. I was expecting the "ladies" to be kicking and stressed when being milked but NO they were all calm and collect ready to provide to their loving family! Their gentleness and love for their animals encouraged me so much. To see so many farmers ridiculed I expected something a lot different. This is their life, their livelihood for their family and has been for over 50 years. I have experienced farm life and to be honest enjoy it more than the regular hustle and bustle but it has not been my daily life always. These guys over at Mary L Farm have shown me an even better appreciation for family support (as each work side by side daily to help each other) and a lifestyle that is hard work but worth it!
I think many times consumers forget a family is up at 3-4am starting their day and not finishing until late at night, to provide for US! Let me ask you, do you know your farmers? Are you buying from them and helping support your neighbors? I think we take for granted, consumers as a whole, all of the work involved and the giving of the farmers daily (7 days a week). The farmers like Mary L Farm do not get the credit they deserve, well I guess appreciation they deserve for their daily sacrifice for our families.
Since we homeschool I was able to take my daughter who bottle fed a baby calf and baby goat for the first time, watched cows actually get milked, see the ways Mary L Farm is trying to make a difference from an environmental stand point with their cooling system and organic means, gain new friendships and a new perspective on family support..thanks to this gracious family! An experience she will hold dear for her life (as will I) and a chance to share with her something she cannot get from a workbook! Please see pics and video on Organic Christians Facebook Page
Let me leave you with a few things to think about...what does community mean to you? Have you taken an effort to say thank you to your farmers or taken the time to even meet them? Do you appreciate the support and effort that goes into what you eat? And lastly, probably most importantly are you aware that God has placed folks in your life so that you can help, encourage and support them? What can you do today to say thank you to them?
LET ME SHARE A PUBLIC THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY AT MARY L FARM! What you all are doing is wonderful and I am encouraging everyone in this area to help support you guys! Your kindness to us was unbelievable and the knowledge you shared was an experience I would not have wanted to miss. So thank you, thank you for getting up every morning and taking such effort in sharing your daily work with us. You are admired and appreciated for your hard work even though many take it for granted, please know God sees how you hard you work and it is for Him we do all things! Much Love and Blessings!
HELP SUPPORT THE FAMILIES YOU KNOW BY BUYING LOCAL
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