posted on
October 8, 2024
Hi, I’m Jesse, your farmer here at Whiffletree!
Welcome to our new farm blog, where we'll share stories, recipes, videos, pics, and more
Each week leading up to Thanksgiving, we’ll be releasing info on everything turkey and Thanksgiving related… fun turkey facts, recipes, how-tos…you won’t want to miss it!
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!
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.
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!
8717 Springs Road
Warrenton VA 20186
(540) 935-0600
info@whiffletreefarmva.com
Store Hours: M - F 11AM to 5PM; Sa 10AM to 5PM
