Welcome to Maier Farm!
After gardening, establishing beehives, and raising both layer and meat chickens (all within city limits), we realized we had hit our ceiling. Farming was calling and we weren't going to be able to actualize it in a suburban neighborhood. Less than three months after the search for property began, we were moving onto "the Farm". That was the end of 2018. Since that time, the learning curve has been exponential. We love (almost) all things farming! From morning to the evening chores, to the cold to the hot, to wet to the dry, to the stinky to the aromatic, from the ugly to the sublime, from the heartbreak to the rejoicing, this is all part of farming. In fact, it is all part of life. Mark, Stephanie, and the kids welcome you to the journey of Maier Farm!
Our Story
Our wider story is likely similar to so many others, particularly those who grew up in the south. Stephanie's grandparents lived on property in Henderson County (western NC), where they depended on a large garden, pigs, and chickens to supplement their diet. My paternal grandfather raised livestock while working the town job. We have great grandparents on both sides who were full time farmers, directly relying on the land for their livelihood. In fact, it wasn't until the 1920s that more Americans were living in the cities that the country. So for most of us, we can point to a legacy of country living. At this point, our story becomes more personal.
The farming gene was passed on to my parents as they moved to 11 acres outside of Shelby my kindergarten year, purchasing cows, sheep, and pigs. The stay was short but the experience was formative. I spent my childhood years naturally drawn to gardening and all things farming. A trip to the fall fair wasn't complete without a stroll through the AG exhibits. A few years after marriage, Stephanie and I moved to our first home on 1/3 acre. The property needed landscaping, so we planted blueberrries, blackberries, and fruit trees. When expecting our fourth child, we moved to house number two, a split level dwelling situated on 1 acre in city limits. The property backed up to roughly 30 acres of forest. After all, the kids needed room to run. Within a few years, we were gardening, keeping bees, and collecting eggs on a daily basis. As you might imagine, there are stories around each endeavor. It wasn't until a coworker introduced me to Joel Salatin's land management philosophies that things really began to amp up for us. He is at the root of the modern farm to table movement that has gained so much traction among those who are concerned about how they are nourishing their bodies. So we were understandably excited to visit to his farm (Polyface Farm) in northern Virginia. My preconceived notions that one must invest gobs of money in equipment and infrastructure to enter farming were shattered. Maybe it was possible to have limited land and equipment but actually realize a profit! We decided to test our mettle by raising meat birds. After all, being able to process as something as small as a chicken would be a necessity if we were wanting to take the next step. The next spring (2018) we ordered 50 cornish cross chicks and everything went according to plan. We raised and processed the chickens on our property. That fall, we did the same thing.
We were at a crossroads. If we were going to build on this, we couldn't do it in city limits.
The rest, they say, is history.
The Lord provided 14 beautiful acres in Vale, NC that met all virtually all our conditions. Since moving to the farm, we have invested ourselves in the process of leaning how to raise cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and bees in careful concert. No only do we offer our products to the public, but we get to eat what we grow!
Sustainable Farming
At Maier Farm, we are committed to working with God ordained natural processes and cycles. Cattle are grass fed and finished, moved to new pasture daily. Pigs are pasture/forest raised. Sheep are grass fed. Eggs are pasture raised and meat birds are given fresh grass daily. Pigs and chicken are fed grain locally milled primarily grown from grain raised by local farmers. Animals are not given hormones or medications. Our pasture experiences short period of disturbance and long periods of rest. This management style, combined with an even distribution of animal manure builds soil. No chemicals are applied to our pastures. You can rest assured that your beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and turkey was raised both humanely and free of medications.
