Know your farmers: A century of Midway farming
{Photos copyright/Geocore Creative, Inc.}
Located on 23 acres The Bumbleberry Farm represents a 100-year-old farming history in Midway. In 2015, Debbie Dawson and her son, Michael, inherited part of her family (Craven) farm. Her father and grandfather were well-known tobacco farmers along with growing vegetables and raising milk cows, hogs and chickens. Debbie's grandfather sold vegetables to locals at curb markets in Thomasville.
{Debbie Dawson says farming is in her DNA/{Photos copyright Geocore Creative, Inc.}
Their land also represents the family’s heritage and future. This is a way of life for Debbie and Michael; it could be said it’s in their DNA. Debbie is a retired high school science teacher. She taught for 13 years before she transitioned to an assistant principal and subsequently retired. It’s only natural given her background and love for the outdoors that she would be getting her hands dirty.
As of four years ago, Debbie’s son Michael, who worked for many years in restaurants, dreamed of growing and selling vegetables and berries to restaurants that prioritize where their food is grown and offer farm to table. When the pandemic hit, the restaurant closed where Michael worked and he and Debbie came up with a plan to put more effort into their crops. They began organically growing a small amount of vegetables and berries and have expanded their variety and amounts with each passing year.
{Photos copyright Geocore Creative, Inc.}
Along with their expansion, they currently raise Golden 300 Hybrid ducks. They started with six, and while only three of the original half a dozen remain, they have since purchased 30 new ducks as of last fall and sell their eggs. Debbie explained that with this type of duck they are able to lay eggs every day. They even use the ducks’ waste in their compost to fertilize their pasture land.
This mother and son duo share the workload as there is a lot to be done and they are the only hands to toil. From pulling weeds to barreling hay and everything in between, they do it all. “Just this past Thursday and Friday we were able to barrel 429 barrels of hay,” Debbie stated. She shared they do plan on adding more animals to the farm as livestock to sustain their family’s needs. They also plan to add a cow for milking and a few meat birds.
When the Dawsons are not busy on Bumbleberry Farm, find them at the Thomasville Farmers Market and Davidson County Farm Tour not just as a vendor but as a manager where Debbie has overseen the past three years. Bumbleberry Farm attends the Lexington and Piedmont Triad Farmers Markets as well.
The farm is open to the public. To schedule an appointment call 336-813-1757.
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