Wells Branch Farm

Eliza MacLean Presenting at the 2009 Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) Conference in Chattanooga, TN. January 21–24, 2009

Eliza MacLean will be presenting a session on "Finishing Pigs and Working with your Meat Processor"

The SSAWG 2009 Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference will be held January 21-24, 2009 at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

This conference will provide you with the practical tools and solutions you need to be successful in your farming enterprise, your community foods projects and your advocacy and outreach work.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group -- commonly known as "Southern SAWG" -- is the region's non-profit leader in creating a sustainable food and farming system. Their programs and activities are aimed at helping family farms and those working to improve community food systems in the Southern region of the United States.

Southern SAWG provides learning opportunities for farmers and agricultural professionals, and tools and support for farmer entrepreneurs. We promote communication and collaboration between farmers, consumers and community organizations, and foster the development of food systems that are more secure. We develop grassroots leadership in the sustainable agriculture movement, and empower constituents to change policies that impact farm communities.

About Eliza MacLean (NC) In 2000, Eliza began managing hog herds at NCA&T State University. MacLean immediately realized she'd found her calling, and soon starting working full time in a partnership with Niman Ranch, Heifer International, NCA&T University and with the Gold Leaf Foundation—focusing on transitioning long time tobacco farmers across the state into family pig farms. After launching the program with Gold Leaf, Niman Ranch hired MacLean to be their representative, evaluating farms and meat quality for their fledgling North Carolina hog production. In 2003, Eliza began her farm, raising pastured Ossabaw Island Hogs, Ossabaw Crosses, and Farmer's Hybrid hogs. Learn more about the farm here: www.canecreekfarm.us/ Session: "Finishing Pigs and Working with your Meat Processor"

Dont Forget: Saxapahaw Oktoberfest this Saturday, Oct 18th

Come on out to the 2008 Saxapahaw Oktoberfest. We'll be there!

 

Our Farms featured in the current October edition of Bon Appetit

Check out this months edition of Bon Appetit Magazine, for a great article on Durham/Chapel Hill's local food scene...including the two farms that currently make up Wells Branch Farms: Braeburn Farm and Cane Creek Farm. 

America's Foodiest Small Town (Oct 2008 Bon Apppetit Mag)
Imagine a place where foodies not only have a favorite chef, but also a favorite farmer; a place where the distance between the organic farm and the award-winning restaurant is mere miles; a place where a sustainable future is foreseeable. It's all a reality in Durham-Chapel Hill.
By Andrew Knowlton

Wells Branch serves up tasty lunch and timely information at the 2008 Piedmont Green Gala

If you attended the 1st annual Piedmont Green Gala on Oct. 4th, chances are you got to sample one of Charles Sydnors famous burgers or Eliza MacLean's 'Frankly Eliza' hot dogs. Wells Branch was a proud sponsor of the Piedmont Green Gala, providing a mouth watering lunch of grilled hamburgers (technically ground beef, not hamburger) and hot dogs served up on fresh locally made buns provided by Ninth St Bakery of Durham.

Charlie Sydnor also co-hosted a talk on Sustainable Agriculture, where he discussed the benefits and challenges of creating a healthy local food economy. 

 

After the formal discussion, Charlie Sydnor and Eliza MacLean (below) chatted with local residents of Alamance County answering questions about Wells Branch Farms, local agriculture, food safety, food ethics, animal welfare, etc.

 

Thanks to to 300+ people who made this event a huge success. We hope you see you there next year! 

Our brand new "Why Choose Grass-Fed" brochure is here

View our shiny new "Why Choose Grass-Fed" brochure! (pdf) You can find additional information on our "Grass-Fed Beef" page.

Dog (and Cat) food now available!

By popular request, we are now offering pet quality meats. These are the same great farm raised meat products we sell every day, but are slightly less than perfect or are parts that us humans generally choose not to eat. Give your pet the gift of a healthy, pasture raised, grass fed, locally produced B.A.R.F. diet.

Introductory price: $2/lb

Farm Update: A Whole Lot of Bull

The boys are growing up!

Click here to listen to Charlie Sydnor tell you about his latest crop of Red Devon Bulls, a breed known for their superior quality as pasture-raise, grass-fed beef:

We had a great time at the Company Shops Market Event at Iron Gate Farm

Company Shops Market Community Meeting

We had a great time seeing everyone at the Company Shops Marked Community Meeting and Potluck event on April 6th, 2008 and held at Iron Gate Farm & Vinyards. It was good to see many of our friends and customers and well as some new faces. The Burlington band, Trailmix, was great and you sure missed out in a good time if you didnt make it out to the event.   

In case you haven't heard, Wells Branch's Charles Sydnor is a board member of the grassroots Company Shops Market, which is working to bring a Co-op grocery to the Alamance County area. The market will carry locally and naturally gown food such as our grass-fed beef, natural pork and chicken products. 

For more information about the co-op and information on how you can support this endevor by purchasing an ownership share, visit http://www.companyshopsmarket.com

Charlie Sydnor at the April 6th CSM Community Meeting and Potluck Event:

Sam Moore (CSM Board Member and owner of Moore Farm), Linda Lashendock (Creator of CSM's Informational Video), and our Charlie Sydnor (of Wells Branch and CSM Board Member):

The Burlington band, Trailmix, performing:

Visit Us durning the 2008 Piedmont Farm Tour! April 19 & 20

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in this years Piedmont Farm Tour!

Join us Saturday & Sunday, April 19 & 20, 2008 from 1-6 pm on the 13th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour sponsored by Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Weaver Street Market. Click here for program. You will find our farm listed on page 11. To learn more about the tour or purchase your 'Farm Tour Button' visit http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/

"Braeburn Farm and Cane Creek have joined forces (and now opperate under the joint corporate entity of Wells Branch). Situated next door to each other, these two farms share facilities and are now the common site for all Cane Creek’s chickens, turkeys, ducks, donkeys, goats, sheep, and of course 100s of funny pigs and Braeburn’s grass-fed New Zealand Red Devon cattle. Come see the Ossabaw, Old Spot, Clinton and family and learn about the intense multi-species rotational grazing that yields rich fertilizer for tomatoes and watermelons galore."

Come see how Carolina is producing its own wholesome food! The tour includes farms in Orange, Chatham, Alamance and Wake Counties.

HOW TO GET HERE:

- From Burlington: From I-40/I-85, Take exit #147 "Graham/Pittsboro/Rt. 87".  Take Rt. 87 South toward Pittsboro.  Follow 87 S for 4.5 miles.  Turn right just past the Shell Station onto Mt. Herman Ch. Rd.  Slow down and immediately bear left onto Bass Mt. Rd. Follow Bass Mt. Rd for roughly 6.5 miles. Turn right at 7009 through two brick columns and follow the gravel road to the end of the driveway. Just watch for the goats! 

- From Points South: Take 87N to the flashing light at Eli Whitney, turn left onto Old Greensboro Highway. At stop sign (Cane Creek Church is at that intersection) turn right onto West Greensboro - Chapel Hill Rd. Turn right on Bass Mountain Rd. Go about 1 mile and Turn left at 7009 Bass Mt Rd through two brick columns and follow the gravel road to the end of the driveway. Just watch for the goats!

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR A MAP:

Company Shops Market Featured on WFMY

Farmers will be part-owners in the Co-op. They plan to sell produce, meats and other products.

Click Here to watch

 

Alamance County, NC -- Farmers are teaming up to help their individual farms make money.

Growers in Alamance County plan to open Company Shops Market.

Farmers will be part-owners in the Co-op. They plan to sell produce, meats and other products.

So far, about 80 farmers paid memberships into the co-op. They have not picked a site.

"They know they are contributing to their local economy, they're supporting their local agriculture and they're doing a good turn for themselves," said Eliza MacLean, owner of Cane Creek Farm.

It could be more than a year before the store opens. The market is modeled after one in Pittsboro.

 

Source: WFMY News 2

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