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Meet the Team: Bethany

written by

Bethany Fisher

posted on

January 8, 2025

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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Easy One-Pan Turkey Drumstick Recipe

Easy One-Pan Turkey Drumstick Recipe

Everyone has those hectic days when no one has time to spend hours in the kitchen, so we all need quick and easy meals in our back pocket. This one-pan meal (inspired by a combo Liz Straight likes to make for their family) combines the sweet and savory flavors from thyme, sweet potatoes, balsamic, garlic, onion, and goat cheese. It serves about 3-4 people, takes about 20 minutes to prep, dirties only a few dishes, and is packed full of flavor, so it’s a winner! A bonus to turkey is that it is actually cheaper per pound than chicken is, and can be substituted for chicken in just about any recipe! And it is packed with a wide range of minerals and B vitamins. This recipe uses turkey drumsticks, which is the most economical cut of turkey we carry (and dare I say the tastiest?). But you can substitute whatever cut of turkey is your favorite and adjust the cooking time accordingly! Easy One-Pan Turkey Drumstick Recipe: Ingredients: 2 turkey drumsticks (I used 2 - 2.5 lbs drumsticks) 3 Tbsp. butter, tallow, or lard 4 sweet potatoes 1 small onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves ½ tsp. Garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup fresh arugula Crumbled goat cheese (optional) Balsamic vinegar or glaze Chopped pecans (optional) Directions: 1. Preheat your oven to 300. 2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes, then slice the onion. Combine both in a 9x13 pan. Add in the minced garlic, thyme leaves, and sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Melt the butter, tallow, or lard in a small saucepan. Add a couple tablespoons to the sweet potato mixture (make sure to reserve some for your turkey drumsticks). Mix everything together. 3. Pat your drumsticks dry. Rub the rest of your melted fat of choice onto the drumsticks, then sprinkle on the garlic powder and some salt and pepper. Nestle the drumsticks in the pan with the sweet potatoes. 4. Place in your preheated oven and cook for about 80-90 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 F. 5. Take the pan out of the oven and let it cool a bit. Then add in your fresh arugula, crumbled goat cheese, and pecans. Mix it up, and drizzle the balsamic over the top. 6. And you’re done! I made this at work on a day when I didn’t have any leftovers in my fridge to bring for lunch. It was super quick and easy to whip up, but still a very satisfying, delicious meal.  Another variation you can do with this is to substitute butternut squash instead of the sweet potatoes. Your choice! Enjoy! ~Bethany

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Not Made, But Found

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The Best BBQ Drumsticks

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Whiffletree Farm

8717 Springs Road
Warrenton VA 20186
(540) 935-0600

info@whiffletreefarmva.com

Store Hours: M - F 11AM to 5PM; Sa 10AM to 5PM