Know Your Farmers: SandyCreek Farm offers a plethora of options
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If you drive far enough south on Highway 150, at some point, a large, mainly green sign is going to jump out at you. SandyCreek Farm, it reads. It proudly declares that what they’re harvesting is “Locally grown and made in Davidson County.”
So, what are they producing at SandyCreek? A couple of main staples: shiitake mushrooms and blueberries. There’s also a greenhouse that various plants call home.
The farm was founded on the land owned by Brenda and John Garner.
“When we built our home here in 2002, we wanted to do something productive, but special, with our acreage,” Brenda explained. “Not knowing much about farming [should’ve listened more closely to my dad], we turned to the Davidson County Agricultural Extension for advice. The agent at that time was Amy Lynn Albertson and she was not shy about making suggestions and steering us in the right direction. We listened, learned and jumped in. We delved into mushroom growing, planted 150 blueberry bushes, added a greenhouse, and with each project, we became more inspired.”
https://www.lexingtonfarmersmarketnc.com/
In the heart of summer (June and July), SandyCreek offers a U-Pick option for blueberries and blackberries. Visitors to the farm can obtain a container and venture out amongst the bushes to grab their own gallons of the sweet berries. A We-pick option is offered as well. For families who’d like to partake of their fruit on site, picnic tables welcome guests on sunny days. There’s a walking trail as well.
This year, on Saturday, June 25, the farm will host its eighth annual Blueberry Fest during the height of the picking season. Admission is free and the event will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Attendees can choose the u-pick or we-pick option on that day if they’d like to take home blueberries.
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There will be hot dogs and burgers offered by their West Davidson neighbor, Wes Walser, pastries made by the Grow and Go Girls, a honeybee observation hive and display and locally roasted coffee by Shining Creek Coffee Company until noon. Local artist Ken Davis will be performing from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
In addition to the visitors SandyCreek draws from its berry operation, the Garners operate a country store on the property and online. At both locations, guests can get their hands on eggs, a collection of cheeses, country butter and some of SandyCreek’s most popular items: homemade jams, jellies and preserves. Made by Brenda or BrendaSue, as she’s identified on the label, a variety of options are available in this category.
Their plethora of smearable toppings include but aren’t limited to blackberry, blueberry, bronze muscadine and merlot wine jellies. They stock a jelly that’s made out of blackberries and blueberries called Black and Blue Jelly.
While the sweet jellies are a hit, it’s the jellies combining sweet and heat that remain in high demand. Various forms of pepper jelly are offered by SandyCreek, some being a Carolina Reaper Pepper Jelly, Red Hot Pepper Jelly, Dragon Mix Pepper Jelly and Ghost Pepper Jelly. Prefer less heat? Try the medium and mild pepper jellies, which may be more in line with your heat tolerance. Jellies can be sampled during Blueberry Fest.
While you’re welcome to visit the farm or the SandyCreek website to purchase items, there’s another location to pick up needed items: the Lexington Farmers Market. They’ve partnered with the Grow and Go Girls, who will have produce from the farm for sale at the market. Fresh fruits - blueberries, blackberries, figs, grapes, muscadines, mushrooms - will be available in season.
“We were charter members of the Lexington Farmers Market and remain members at the present time. We support and are supported by other members.”
When they aren’t tending to the affairs of the farm, the Garners enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
To learn more about SandyCreek Farm, visit www.sandycreekfarm150.com.
