Living just minutes away from Mt. Vernon Farm has ruined supermarket meat sections for me for life. Owned by the Miller family who founded the farm in 1827, Mt. Vernon boasts 840 acres producing 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef and lamb as well as pastured pork and soy-free eggs.
As I drive down the sinuous gravel road to the farm store, I pass healthy cows and lamb chomping away on grass so virile and green I’d be happy to taste. Meeting Mike and Molly Peterson who manage the farm located in Rappahannock County, Virginia has only added to my feeling of consumer righteousness when purchasing Mt. Vernon products. Warm, intelligent and honest, the husband and wife team have a deep respect for the animals they raise, care for and eventually harvest. Their dedication to producing nutrient-dense and environmentally sustainable meat betrays an equal respect for the like-minded families they sell to, who don’t mind paying the inevitable premium for quality.
Though their days are hectic, country living allows a social reprieve and the young couple enjoys the mountains, spending time together and reading. Mike is also a talented chef, having cooked at The Inn at Little Washington before managing Mt. Vernon, and Molly an accomplished photographer.
Visit Mike and Molly at the farm store, open 1-5 Fridays and 11-4 Saturdays or order online through their ‘Buyer’s Clubs’ with pick up locations in Northern and Central Virginia. Find Mt. Vernon online at mountvernonfarm.net and facebook.com/MountVernonFarmGrassFed. Check out Molly’s fantastic photos at mjmphotography.biz.
mira
as always, excellent post! thank you.
May 24, 2011 @ 1:11 pm
sylvie in Rappahannock
minutes away from MVF? welcome to Sperryville, Christina!
Are you growing for sale or just for your own consumption? I am always interested in finding local growers of interesting stuff IO don’t grow myself.
I hope to meet you soon – and that’s very likely in RappCo… We may well meet at the MVF store as I get a lot of my meat there.
May 25, 2011 @ 5:05 pm
smallfarmtable
Hello Sylvie,
I’m growing for consumption but at the rate of my planting I might have to sell! I can let you know what I have lots of when the time comes. Right now it’s mostly the greens, chard, arugula, kale, spinach etc. I hope to see you around the county! I’ve heard wonderful things about Laughing Duck Gardens!
Best,
SFT
May 25, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
Jen
Molly sent this link to me! What a great video. I thought it was especially touching when he talked about letting the animals go. I always wondered how the farmers do it. It is the one thing that really keeps me from attempting farm life for myself. Thanks for giving a face to the industry. Bravo! I may share the video on my Youtube account too if that’s ok.
Nov 09, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
smallfarmtable
Hi, Jen, thanks so much for watching and glad you enjoyed it! Molly and Mike are incredible people and farmers. Please feel free to share!
Best,
Christina
Nov 09, 2011 @ 10:48 pm