Blog - Whiffletree Farm

Not Made, But Found

My daughter and I run together some mornings of the week, and besides catching up we also like to listen to "The Daily Poem" podcast. This morning we heard this one by Pulitzer Prize winning Richard Wilbur. Wedding Toast "St. John tells how, at Cana's wedding feast, The water-pots poured wine in such amountThat by his sober countThere were a hundred gallons at the least.It made no earthly sense, unless to showHow whatsoever love elects to blessBrims to a sweet excessThat can without depletion overflow.Which is to say that what love sees is true;That this world's fullness is not made but found.Life hungers to aboundAnd pour its plenty out for such as you.Now, if your loves will lend an ear to mine,I toast you both, good son and dear new daughter.May you not lack for water,And may that water smack of Cana's wine." My daughter and I both thought it a very sweet poem. Part of what this poem is about is making a claim about reality--how in a fundamental way, reality (or God and his world, as shown by Jesus at the wedding) is full of love and blessing and abundance and life that "brims to a sweet excess." With that context, this line stuck out to me: "That this world's fullness is not made but found." One way of looking at the world and our work is that the main task in life is man-handling what we want out of this world. Squeezing and imposing and "building". The alternative orientation is the way of this poem--that our main task is mostly figuring out how to best co-operate with reality that is already bursting with life. Our approach to farming is with the presumption that "life hungers to abound." And it is our fundamental job as farmers to facilitate the life that is much bigger than us--we help put the right pieces in the right places at the right time (which is no small task!)--but we don't really "make anything grow." We can move the animals around the pastures in the right rotation at the right times to make the soil, and plants, and animals happy, but we don't make the sun shine, and we don't crank any gears to make photosynthesis happen, and we don't make the soil microbes work, and we don't wind up the chickens to keep them running. In other words, as farmers "This world's fullness is not made but found." We don't do good work when we aggressively impose our will on the soil, plants, and animals. We do our best work when we find the abundant ways of nature and life, and in humility, join in collaboration. Of course, this poem was not written about farming (ha!), but it is about living and love and how to see the world and ourselves--how it is a sad joke to live in Scrooge-ish grasping dominance, but wonderful to live in the harmony and abundance of collaborating with the nature of reality. And being a farmer, I couldn't help but hear those thoughts when I heard those lines. Our aim is to "find" the abundance in nature's ways, and pass that abundance along to you, our customers, in the form of tasty food that is truly healthy for the land, animals, and community. ~Jesse Straight

The Best BBQ Drumsticks

Nothing says summer more than a good BBQ (I know, it’s not summer yet, but one can dream!). But honestly, these drumsticks are good any time of year - the BBQ flavors are compounded when mixed with the smoky essence of a grill, or when it’s cold the spices warm you up and fire up your tastebuds. And served with some roasted potatoes slathered with butter? They are smashing! This recipe is inspired by a recipe that Jesse and Liz Straight and their family love. These drumsticks are served with a tangy white BBQ sauce with a bit of spice…a perfect compliment to the spice rub on the drumsticks! (Or serve ‘em up with whatever your favorite BBQ sauce is!) Drumsticks: 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar 1 ½ Tbsp. salt 1 Tbsp. garlic powder 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika 2 tsp. black pepper 1 ½ tsp. onion powder 1 ½ tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. cinnamon (optional, but adds a nice twist!) ½ tsp. cayenne (optional) 2 Tbsp. water 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 ½ lbs. chicken drumsticks (or use turkey drumsticks!) White BBQ Sauce: 1 c. mayonnaise ¼ c. apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. honey 1 tsp. prepared horseradish 1 ½ tsp. hot sauce ½ tsp. cayenne (optional, depends on how much spice you like!) Directions: 1. Heat your oven to 375. 2. While the oven is heating, mix together the dry ingredients for the drumsticks. Add in the water, stir, and let sit for a couple minutes to allow the water to soften the spices. Then add in the oil and let sit for another couple minutes to allow the water and oil to draw out the flavor compounds of the spices. 3. Place a wire rack on your baking sheet. Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel, then rub them with the spice rub. Lay them on the wire rack with the fat end facing the edge of the pan. (You can always skip the wire rack if you’re in a hurry and want to get supper on the table as fast as possible, or want to minimize clean up after. A wire rack will just create air flow to give you the crispiest skin possible!) 4. Bake in the oven (or on the grill) for 1 hour. 5. While the drumsticks are cooking, mix up all the ingredients for the sauce. Add as much hot sauce or cayenne ‘til it’s as spicy as you want. 6. Serve the drumsticks with the sauce on the side. Some lemon wedges add a nice bright note to the dish as well! I think this is my all-time favorite drumstick recipe. They’re quick, easy, and delicious. I highly recommend adding these into your meal rotation! If you’re looking for more ideas on how to make drumsticks, here’s a few more ideas from Liz Straight: A one-pan meal with drumsticks, brussel sprouts, and diced sweet potatoes tossed in melted lard or bacon fat and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Crumbled bacon on top is a bonus! Nestle everything in a pan and bake at 375 for 60 minutes.Drumsticks, melted lard or tallow, diced potatoes, a few minced garlic cloves, diced tomatoes (canned or fresh), lemon zest to taste, dried or chopped fresh herbs of choice, and olives. Cook the same way as above!Mix equal parts of melted butter and Dijon mustard, mix in dried or chopped fresh herbs of choice (dried basil or tarragon, or fresh thyme recommended!) and paint onto the drumsticks. Cook at 375 for an hour! And the ideas are endless. Have fun in the kitchen experimenting and finding your family’s favorite! Cheers! Bethany

Tasty Curried Drumstick Recipe

Finger food (noun): food that can be taken on a picnic, enjoyed outside or made for a tailgate party, and must be messy, finger-lickin’ good. (From the Whiffletree Farm Dictionary, unabridged.) I don’t know about you, but the beautiful weather this last week has had me thinking about SPRING! While I love soups and roasts and warming comfort food during the wintertime, I’m always ready to ditch the spoons and forks and make finger food again. We have a couple drumstick recipes to share with you this month. The first is curried drumsticks with a zingy yogurt sauce. Bake in the oven, or, if you’re like me, it’s time to break out the grill! Reasons why drumsticks are so great… They are the most economical cut of chicken you can get and can easily be substituted for any recipe calling for thigh meat for half the price!The moist, dark meat is some of the best! Dark meat is richer in vitamins, minerals, and fat than white meat is. Also the skin is amazing for you, full of different minerals than the meat contains. AND dark meat is forgiving - it’s almost impossible to overcook!There are so many variations of seasonings you can do with them, so your loved ones won’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over. Points for being versatile!For those who don’t like to get their fingers dirty, it’s easy to cut the meat off, but for those who don’t mind getting their fingers a little sticky, it’s great fun and saves on some dishes! So without further ado, here is the recipe! Curry-Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Herbed Yogurt Sauce Chicken: 4 tsp. curry powder 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 ¼ tsp. ground cardamom 1 ¼ tsp. packed coconut sugar ¾ tsp. ground ginger ¾ tsp. ground nutmeg ¾ tsp. smoked paprika 2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. water 2 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 ½ lbs. chicken drumsticks (could also do turkey drumsticks!) Herbed Yogurt Sauce: 1 c. plain Greek yogurt ½ c. fresh cilantro leaves, minced 3 Tbsp. lime juice (2 limes) 2 Tbsp. water, plus extra as needed ½ tsp. grated fresh ginger ½ tsp. honey 1. Adjust oven rack to the upper middle and preheat oven to 350F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on the sheet. 2. While the oven is preheating, whisk all the spices and coconut sugar together with the water. Let sit for a few minutes until it has thickened into a paste. Then whisk in the oil (see note below). 3. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel. Roll each drumstick in the curry spice slurry until evenly coated on all sides. Arrange the drumsticks, skin side up, on the prepared rack with the thicken end closer to the edge of the baking sheet (the edges of the baking sheet get the hottest, so this helps them cook more evenly, and the wire rack ensures plenty of air circulation and crispier skin). Spoon any of the excess spice mixture on top, or use a brush to brush on. 4. Roast the drumsticks for 45-50 minutes or until they reach 180 degrees, rotating the sheet halfway through for even cooking. Once they reach 180, turn on the broiler and let the drumsticks sit under it for a few minutes to crisp up the skin. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. 5. While the drumsticks are roasting, prep the sauce. Simply add all the ingredients together, and add as much water as you want to thin it out to your desired consistency. 6. Serve the drumsticks with the sauce on the side. (For the best enjoyment, no forks or knives allowed.) For an idea of what to serve these drumsticks with, they pair amazingly with a cucumber salad! Note: The flavor compounds of spices are largely fat soluble. Some, however, are water soluble, so adding water and oil ensures every possible nuance of flavor is drawn out! I absolutely love this recipe. It is a perfect combo of warming spices and bright, fresh flavors from the yogurt sauce. It makes a perfect spring dish! Up next on the blog is one other favorite drumstick recipe of ours, so stay tuned! Cheers! Bethany

Easy Oven-Baked Brisket

For many, St. Patrick’s Day means corned brisket. But for us pasture-raised farmers and eaters who believe food is medicine, corned brisket means some not so healthy things (like nitrates). But not to worry! You can enjoy this classic without compromising health, and still get a brisket that is tasty and moist and delectable. I brined my brisket in this recipe. The extra moisture will affect the ability to get a good bark on your brisket, but hey, our goal is taste and health, so I’m not too worried about getting a perfect bark (although I want to try dry brining a brisket next time to see how that works!). Another option of curing your brisket without nitrates is by using whey, so if you’re curious about a more traditional way of curing your brisket look that up! Because I was short on time and in a busy season of life, I chose to do a salt brine. The key to getting a moist brisket is by cooking it at a low temp. It has to cook low and slowly enough to give time for all the connective tissues to break down and render. If you cook it at too high of a temp, it will cook too fast and those connective tissues will remain intact, leaving you with a tough brisket. This recipe is easy and doesn’t require much effort - it just takes time to cook it appropriately! So here’s how to make a brisket that will make your mouth water and have the family running to the table! Brine: 1 gallon water ½ cup kosher salt ½ cup coconut sugar 1 Tbsp. mustard seeds 1 Tbsp. whole peppercorn Bring water to a boil and add in salt and sugar to dissolve. Add in the rest of the ingredients and let the brine cool. Place your brisket in a pot or brining bag and pour the cooled brine over it. Let brine in the fridge overnight, or for about 12 hours. Brisket Rub: 2 Tbsp. salt 2 Tbsp. pepper 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika 1 Tbsp. onion powder 1 Tbsp. garlic powder Instructions: 1. Take your brined brisket and pat dry with paper towels, and let sit out to dry for a half hour. 2. Preheat your oven to 250. 3. While the oven is preheating and the brisket is drying, mix together all the ingredients for the rub. After the brisket has dried, spread a little oil on the outside of the brisket. Not too much, just enough to give the rub something to bind to. Then sprinkle the rub all over, making sure to rub it over the entire brisket. 4. Take a baking sheet (large enough to keep your brisket from dripping into your oven) and place a wire rack on it. This will lift the brisket off the rack to create more airflow, which will help achieve the ‘bark’ on your brisket. Place your brisket on the rack, and then put in the oven on the middle shelf. 5. Let it cook for about three hours, then remove from the oven and wrap in foil or butchers paper. Return to oven, and let it cook until it reaches 200 degrees, about another 4-5 hours (see note at the end about the ‘stall’ that can happen while cooking). Also, an oven thermometer that you can keep inserted without opening the door is handy, as constantly opening the oven to check the temp lengthens the time it will take to cook). 6.Take it out of the oven and let it rest for an hour. This step is very important! As the brisket cooks, all the moisture is pushed out toward the edges of the meat, so if you cut into it right away you’ll spill all the moisture out. If you let it sit, the moisture will redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a delectably moist brisket. *It’s safe to let it sit on the counter for about an hour, but if you have more time than that before serving, you can wrap the brisket in foil (if you didn’t wrap it after the stall), wrap in a couple towels for insulation, and place in a small cooler until you’re ready to serve. 7. Enjoy! *A note about the ‘stall’ when cooking a brisket: You may find your brisket stalls while cooking. This is caused by moisture evaporating off the surface of the brisket, causing a cooling effect. Lots of factors contribute to this, including how cloudy it is or how humid it is outside. That’s why we wrapped the brisket in this recipe, to help you get past that stall a little more quickly then if you just let it go. Some people prefer to not wrap it so they get a better ‘bark’ on their brisket, but if you’re like me and didn’t have time to sit around waiting for the brisket to get past the stall (it can take hours!), wrapping is the way to go. So for a recap on how this went for me… The brisket turned out moist and tender, which was my goal. It had a decent bark on it, although next time I want to try a dry brine and see how that goes as I try to perfect my brisket skills (and break out the grill too? Anyone here like grilling as much as me?). What didn’t quite work out for me was that it was too salty, so I adjusted the salt amounts in this recipe to account for that. And my brisket went through a major stall which meant I served dinner way later than I expected (or anyone wanted), so I would start it earlier and then plan on keeping it warm until dinnertime. And the last thing I want to add is to encourage you to get creative with your seasonings! The dry rub can be a concoction of whatever your favorite spices or herbs are, so have fun with it! Cheers!

Meet the Team: Elizabeth

I grew up in the sunny south, until our family moved north to Virginia farmland where we lived for many years. To be raised with a connection to land is a heritage I treasure. Over time, that connection has evolved and become more layered.As an adult, I traveled to several areas in the US and abroad, where I worked with horses, cows, goats, chickens, groves, gardens, and vineyards. This work was done for several service projects in contexts rife with socioeconomic and cultural turmoil. That chapter of life brought me shoulder to shoulder with refugees, marginalized women, and struggling families. I witnessed firsthand how a connection to the land impacts the physical, mental, social, and economic health of individuals and communities.Following this impactful season, I settled in Pennsylvania to continue my education and career. When the events of 2020 unfolded, I unexpectedly returned to Virginia, and eventually joined the Whiffletree team. I’ve had various roles— from the store and fields to behind-the-scenes office work— and I've loved every moment. After nearly two years on-site, the time came to return to PA. And I had the huge privilege of continuing to work remotely for Whiffletree. If you’ve emailed, visited our website, or placed orders, you’ve likely interacted with me. Outside of Whiffletree, I work with my partner in PA, helping patients and clients improve pain, mobility, strength, and rehabilitation through physical manual therapy and functional coaching. I also volunteer at a farm that provides nature-centered therapeutic and educational services. My focus is working with rescued and repurposed horses who partner in community programs supporting children, women, families, and veterans. We also have goats and a pig.While I can’t be physically present at Whiffletree as much as I wish, I am deeply committed to its growth. My life experiences have reinforced the importance of nutrient-rich foods, the connection of humans to land and animals, and how farming plays a critical role in building thriving communities. Jesse is a truly gifted and humble leader, and the team he has assembled is second to none. I have immense respect for everyone who works tirelessly every day to make it all possible. Fun Facts: It is quite possible that I have consumed more Whiffletree hotdogs than any other human!I love when I'm with doctors, patients, or clients, and Whiffletree texts flash across my phone screen about hens, cattle, or turkeys :)I started at Whiffletree when there was only one freezer, no inventory system, and no online ordering-- we've grown so much!In my years helping Whiffletree's annual Thanksgiving turkey sale, I've spelled "turkey" incorrectly 15 times total (yes, I counted!). After you say the word countless times for months in a row, your brain plays tricks on you.I've clocked thousands of hours milking cows and goats, and helping farmers at harvests here and abroad.I enjoy being a teacher and mentor to athletes, women, and youth in programs for rehab and strength, trauma recovery, self-defense, and support for autism and other developmental hurdles.

Meet the Team: Melanie

Melanie has been working with Whiffletree since she was a teenager. She started out on our processing crew, and now she works as our bookkeeper. It is such a blessing to have her at the farm. She has so much passion and enthusiasm and love for life that is contagious for everyone around her. The most exciting development recently is that she and her husband just welcomed their first baby girl into their family! Where did you grow up? I grew up here, in Fauquier County! I have 11 siblings, of which I am the third eldest. What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? After going to college and trying to determine just what I would do next, I ultimately found myself in nursing school. While the information was fascinating and experiences were valuable, I ultimately discerned out of that and found myself back at Whiffletree. What inspired you to become a farmer? As long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in farming. As a young child, books like Little House on the Prairie and similar stories gave me insight to a way of life that once was more common. A life full of hard work, being in tune with and working with nature, self-sustainability, and ultimately just being intentional with my decisions. I would check out books from the library on raising animals and gardening. I quickly made farming a part of my personality and identity. What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? To be mentally tough. Like a lot. Sometimes you really do just have to do something even if you don’t want to. For example, I’ve had early mornings hand shoveling a walkway in feet of snow to check and tend to lambs. Also, in the middle of the night in windy March to check on trays of little plants just to make sure they weren’t frozen. Then quickly having to come up with a plan to save them! The list goes on. But I have learned that the weather and time of day does not discriminate against having to work. How has farming benefited you? Farming has benefited me in many ways. It’s built resiliency, analytical thinking, and acceptance, just to name a few things. Working with your hands and mind to produce fruit (literally and figuratively) is quite rewarding. What do you hope to accomplish through farming? I hope to continue to build a life where each day is rewarding. It’s important to remember that raising a small garden to feed your family can be just as fulfilling as raising thousands of chickens to sell to hundreds of people. How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? In high school I started out working on the poultry processing crew. Since then I have: worked general farm chores, farm store, inventory management, bookkeeping, poultry processing crew management, and various other tasks. Most memorable Whiffletree experience? 13 hour turkey processing day. In November. Brrrrr! What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? My favorite animal is hands down the cattle. They mosey through the pasture intentionally grazing their days away. They aren’t concerned with what has been or what will be. When I sit and watch them, I often feel silly, wondering just why do we rush through our days like aimless busy bees, when the cattle are just as or even more content taking each day as it comes? I 100% recommend visiting the cattle when you visit the farm store. Bring your lunch, just sit and watch silently. Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? I love to garden, hike, learn anything, and bake. Favorite food? Meat. Probably beef. Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? I love to make one pan pasta dish in a cast iron. I cook mild Italian sausage and vegetables in the pan , then add uncooked pasta, broth, heavy cream, pasta sauce and cheese. Let it all cook together. Yummy and easy!

Meet the Team: Ben

Back to our ‘Meet the Team’ series, we have Ben Dillon, who hails from Louisiana. He came to Whiffletree as an intern in the winter of 2021, then became a full time employee in the fall of 2023. He’s a great teacher and always ready with a word of encouragement, and loves to help others on the farm pursue their interests. And he does a great job taking care of our pigs and cattle! Where did you grow up? I grew up in southeast Louisiana. What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? I served 10 years in the Navy and then produced, managed, and directed off-road triathlons and trail runs. What inspired you to become a farmer? Inspiration came from a growing biblical worldview and the connection of so many physical, emotional, and psychological ailments that plague society. Other inspiration came from authors such as Wendell Berry and Joel Salatin. What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? That farming is like many other disciplines: get started and then learn through experience of what works and what doesn’t, then adjust and execute. Develop and nurture relationships. Continue in humility as knowledge and experience develops. God created us to participate and though nature is complex, there are techniques, practices, and procedures that are tried and true for managing in a way that benefits the entire ecosystem, in which we are connected. How has farming benefited you? I have benefited, just as I have served in the Navy and then as a race director, to be surrounded by amazing men and women who strive for excellence in all that they do. As well, farming reminds me that at the end of the day humans need clothing, shelter, and food…and that those animals need to be managed in a way that honors the animals’ nature and benefits the land, and that we farmers are dependent on our customers to value our good work, and that we farmers are here to serve our customers, animals, and land. So that in the end, each day is a day to be committed in service of others. What do you hope to accomplish through farming? To continue surrounding myself around others who value the need for managing animals in an ethical way that results in healthy, vibrant ecology and nourishing food. How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? I have gone from Intern (then serving at another farm for the summer and then spending a brief time back home) to current feeder to finish hog manager and secondarily maintaining, repairing, or coordinating repairs on our various vehicles and equipment. This coming year I will take more of a lead on our beef production. Most memorable Whiffletree experience? My most memorable Whiffletree experience would be sharing our winter internship experience with Robby and Josiah. The work was great but our time spent gathered together during meals and other non-farm related activities was most memorable. What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? Pigs: start to finish they are aesthetically pleasing to look at and come with bunches of personality. Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? I like to backpack, read, and visit friends. Favorite food? I like to cook and eat various soups and stews. Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Within those soups and stews, I like to put various types of beef ranging from ground beef, beef brats, and steak.

Liz's Delicious Caeser Salad Recipe

A few people have asked for Liz’s Caesar salad dressing recipe, so we thought we’d use her recipe to kick off something new for the blog. The first week of every month, we’ll post one of our favorite recipes, so keep an eye out…you won’t want to miss them! So here’s the recipe for Liz’s famous Caesar salad dressing! Ingredients: ½ fresh lemon, squeezed, or 2 Tbsp. lemon juice4-6 cloves garlic, minced1 Tbsp. stone-ground mustard2 Tbsp. homemade mayonnaise½ c. extra-virgin olive oil 1 c. grated Parmesan (optional)1 small jar anchovy fillets, minced (optional)½ tsp. sea saltFreshly ground black pepper, to taste Directions: Combine all the ingredients into a bowl. For the anchovies, if using, you can either mince them very finely and mix, or use an immersion blender or food processor to combine all the ingredients together. Liz also likes to leave the parmesan on the side so people can add as much or as little as they like. Simple, quick, easy…and most importantly, delicious! *We offer extra-virgin olive oil from Laconiko, which comes directly from their Greek olive farm! If you look into olive oil, you’ll find there’s some fishy business with a very real possibility of corruption and deceit, so we love our olive oil and the fact we know exactly where it comes from and that it’s 100% pure olive oil! Check it out HERE! Jesse’s favorite combo with this dressing is grilled chicken breasts or sirloin strip. We will probably do our favorite steak recipe for one of the future blogs! Stay tuned! Give this recipe a try and let us know how you like it!

Meet the Team: Kelly

Kelly Barnes interned with Whiffletree in the fall of 2022, then came on as a full time employee. With a million dollar smile, the best organizing abilities in the world, and a heart full of love for people, we’re so blessed to have her as part of our team. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Columbia, MO and moved to Fredericksburg, VA in 2000. What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? Prior to farming, I was a carpenter and a caregiver. For several years, I worked on a farm one day a week, growing and harvesting vegetables. I was a Whiffletree customer for seven years before starting my internship here. What inspired you to become a farmer? I’ve struggled with chronic health issues for over half my life time. Eating chemical free food for even just a month produced such a dramatic reduction in the severity of my symptoms. This discovery steered my life in a new direction. Learning to produce food that could assist in healing my body rather than making me sicker became my goal. Studying nutrition became my hobby. Working on a farm became my dream. What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? Some things that I didn't expect to learn from farming: How accurately cartoons depict animal characteristics and tendencies. How relatable Jesus’s parables are to a farmer. How deceptive marketing is regarding conventionally farmed food What do you hope to accomplish through farming? Someday I hope to utilize my farming experience in mission work, teaching people practical skills to provide for their families and communities. I would love to help victims rescued from human trafficking heal and build new lives. Most memorable Whiffletree experience? My most memorable Whiffletree experience is planting a six foot snake skin in a city-boy intern’s car for him to discover later. What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? My favorite animals are the cattle and the turkeys. The cattle are so peaceful to watch as they graze. Sometimes they skip around you in excitement when you move them to fresh pasture. The turkeys are so full of personality and interactive. They are curious and like to talk back to you. Seeing them strut around and fan their wings when they are only 6 inches tall is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? Studying the Bible is one of my favorite ways to spend my time off. I also enjoy gardening, foraging, sewing, making jewelry, reading books and listening to music. Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Beef short ribs with a homemade rub are one of my favorite things to make. Slow cooked in a crock pot, they come out perfect every time. They are even delicious cold, for a quick leftovers lunch on the go.

Meet the Team: Akili

Akili McCullough has been a star employee of Whiffletree for a few months now. He interned with us spring of 2024 and stayed on as one of our crew. A cool fact about Akili is that he hiked the whole Appalachian Trail! He’s a great guy to have on the farm…observant, a hard worker, never complaining, always ready for a joke, and really believes in doing good work! So read on to find out about Akili! Where did you grow up? Any siblings? I grew up in Warrenton most of my life and am the youngest of 5 siblings. I have 2 brothers and two sisters. I also attended and graduated from Covenant Christian Academy. What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? I worked at a car wash before starting my internship at Whiffletree. What inspired you to become a farmer? The pandemic and the riots of 2020 made me more conscious of how fragile the infrastructure and society are. I wanted to be more prepared. What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? I learned that I must simultaneously underestimate and overestimate an animal's intelligence. How has a farming internship benefited you? It has given me experience with farming without the up front risk of starting a homestead. What do you hope to accomplish through farming? I plan to learn and be more self-sufficient. How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? I have evolved more into a teacher from my start as an intern, though I still have more to learn. What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? The cows are very simple creatures that really want one thing: grass. The chickens seem to actively try to make your life harder. The pigs are smaller versions of the cows with none of the charm (piglets don't count). Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? Hiking, when time and weather allows, is my go-to hobby. Favorite food? Sushi, Mac and cheese, and bacon wrapped meatloaf. Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Bacon wrapped meatloaf.

Meet the Team: Carmen

Carmen Ashwell is Whiffletree’s longest employee. For those of you who know her, you know what a fun person she is to be around… always ready with a word of encouragement, a funny personality that magnetizes people, a great and cheerful worker, and a gal of integrity. Read on to get a glimpse of the amazing person Carmen is! Where did you grow up? Any siblings? I grew up in Beautiful Bristow Virginia (beautiful is sarcastic… Bristow is typical bland suburbia). Siblings? Oh, I got some of those…nine to be exact! Before you ask, I am number 4! Two brothers and seven sisters, just as loud as it sounds! What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? Was a very, very busy travel soccer player! Also worked at Chick-fil-a, awesome job by the way, can’t recommend enough! What inspired you to become a farmer? I have always LOVED animals! Steve Irwen was a huge inspiration to little Carmen, RIP Steve. I knew I wanted to work with my hands so farming has been a great fit! What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? So sorry to be morbid but what I really didn’t expect to learn is how to slaughter chickens and put down sick or injured chickens. I never thought I would be able to do it because I love animals but I learned that reducing suffering shows respect for the animal and that is more important than my comfort. Again, sorry to be morbid, but now I’m a pro! How has farming benefited you? Farming has given me strength and confidence! I have gotten much more physically strong since I have been on the farm, I feel very capable! Farming gives me LOTS of opportunities for problem solving! At first I didn’t trust my judgment and asked for help at every decision point, now I make many decisions independently and with confidence, this is a big boost to my self esteem! What do you hope to accomplish through farming? Animal welfare! I am so proud to work at Whiffletree where our animals are treated with care and respect! I love to help make their lives happy and healthy! How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? From intern, to brooder manager, to delivery driver, to wholesale manager, Neighborhood Delivery management, primary Farm Store coverage, I have done many, many things! I took up Sunday chores last year and have been enjoying it so much! Great to do what I came here for, care for animals! Most memorable Whiffletree experience? Oh boy where to begin… I can’t pick just one! As an intern, during one of my first few weeks, Jesse took me out to the cattle to receive a hay delivery. We didn’t have a tractor with us but wanted to spread the hay throughout the paddock so Jesse asked the driver to drive around the paddock and we would push the bales off as he drove! We put our backs against one row of bales and stretched our legs out to kick the bales off of the moving trailer! We placed them well and it was soooo satisfying to watch the bales roll off the trailer! So fun! Another favorite was the great turkey escape of 2020! It was the middle of the day…I received a text that turkeys were out and it was all hands on deck! I ran to get my flag, a big red flag I used to shoo hens indoors. Out into the field I went and raised my giant red flag over my head to shoo the turkeys back into their netting, worked like a charm! I feel guilty saying it, but I sort of love chaos on the farm, big storms, birds out, cattle out, water down, etc. Love working as a team to figure out a problem! What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? Pigs!!! They are smart, cuddly, messy, and absolutely adorable! Such a carefree and beautiful lifestyle, and I think they love naps as much as I do! Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? Favorite hobby is caring for my dog, Doctor Beverly Crusher (Know as Crush or Crusher). When I am not working, I am reading, spending time with friends and my fiance, and as of recently, swimming! Favorite food? Peruvian Chicken, yuca, sweet plantains, and chicha morada. That’s really a meal but they all belong together! Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Ropa Vieja with our Chuck Roast. My mothers recipe calls for Flank Steak (which is incredible!) but living alone in my early 20’s had me getting creative to keep things budget friendly! I made it with Chuck Roast for team lunch and it came out delicious! I was so proud and I think if my mom had tasted it she would have been too!

Meet the Team: Bethany

Next in our ‘Meet the Team’ series on our blog, here’s a little about myself (Bethany here!). Where did you grow up? I grew up in the heart of Minnesota. Gravel roads, small towns (I mean very small…my town had a population of 300 and the next closest ‘town’ was only 80!), rolling hills, lakes and woods…that was home for me! What did you do before you came to farming/Whiffletree? I pursued music composition and creative writing for about five years before deciding it wasn’t for me. I also worked a couple office jobs in that time as well as doing the bookkeeping for my dad’s business (which I still am able to do remotely!). What inspired you to become a farmer? I am a country girl. I love the wide open spaces, going outside where it’s just me and nature, no sights or sounds of the city. I’ve always loved the idea of having my own little farm. I grew up gardening, and I loved setting the dinner table knowing everything except the proteins came from our own land. Every year, our family would also can and preserve anywhere from 300-450 quarts of garden produce. It was always in the back of my mind that it would be great if all our meat, eggs, and dairy came from our land too, but I thought unless you were born into a family who farmed or had land you just couldn’t do it. In 2022, after I decided music and writing weren’t what I wanted for a career, I explored other options…which brought me back to my girlhood dream of farming. After looking into it, I realized there are far more opportunities to get started in farming than I thought! I pursued learning about farming through internships in Minnesota, England, and Virginia, and it’s been quite the adventure! What are some things you didn’t expect to learn that farming has taught you? Something that has been reinforced to me is the value of the little things in life. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life, but slowing down to enjoy the time I get to work with friends, the stunning nature around me, the amazing animals we care for…life is made up of all the little moments. How has farming benefited you? Farming has benefited me in multiple ways. I have come to have a much deeper appreciation of the healthy food we are able to eat and the hard work that goes into raising it. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and work with some incredible people who have all had a hand in teaching me and helping me grow both in my learning and as a person. And while I’ve always loved nature, farming teaches the ways of nature to you in a very real way, so getting to experience that has been amazing. What do you hope to accomplish through farming? Whether it’s through having a farm of my own one day or working with other farms, I hope to be able to provide a place where good, nutritious food is produced, where our land is cared for, and where people’s lives and relationships are nourished. How has your role at Whiffletree evolved in your time here? I started out as an intern in August 2023, then was hired on full time for a few months after that. In those few months I managed our freezers, did a trial run managing wholesale, helped customers in the farm store, and assisted tracking and organizing data. I returned to Whiffletree full time September 2024, and I now manage wholesale, marketing, communications, and events. Most memorable Whiffletree experience? The second day of my internship at Whiffletree, we were short-staffed so I had to go feed and gather the eggs from our two laying flocks alone. When I arrived at the first flock, the hens were extremely hungry and were gathering close to the poultry net where the truck was parked. As soon as I turned the electricity off, the hens started swarming the fence, toppling it over and almost escaping. I don’t know that there’s anything as terrifying to an intern as hundreds of hens trying to escape. I still don’t know how I managed to keep the hens in but somehow I did…narrow escape! What’s your favorite animal on the farm? And why? The cattle! They’re such amazing creatures! There’s something very calming about going out to the field and watching them contentedly grazing. I love their curiosity…stand there long enough and they’ll slowly make their way closer to you trying to figure you out. And I love their playfulness…watching them jump and skip when they get a new paddock of grass or when they tussle with one another…it’s fun to watch. Favorite hobby? Or favorite things you like to do when not working? Hiking, music, art, and refinishing furniture are a few of my favorites! Favorite food? Bibimbap! It’s a Korean dish (my mom is Korean). Rice topped with Korean barbecued beef, kimchi, and assorted stir-fried veggies…it’s delicious! Favorite dish you like to make with a Whiffletree item? Stir-fries with ground beef or fajita strips, balsamic glazed chicken, or a good ole burger are a few of my favorites!

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