#EscapeWithNCAg is a year-long series that will focus on agritourism across North Carolina. Many farms, wineries and other agricultural businesses in our state offer events such as tours, yoga, educational classes, pick-your-own events and festivals, to entertain the public and teach them about our state’s number one industry. Each Thursday, we will feature a new site for you to visit with friends or family. Stay tuned and learn how to escape the stresses of life by diving into agriculture!
Are you looking for a place to find peace, strength, hope and local pride? Jireh Family Farm, LLC in Durham provides all of that and more through their meat products and agritourism offerings each year. Whether you head out for a farm-to-table dinner, a herbal class, a birthday party or an Air BnB stay, Jireh Family Farm is sure to be a place where serenity will be found and a connection with nature will be formed.
In 2017, Immanuel and Valerie Jarvis opened Jireh Family Farm with the hope of providing a place where the community could learn about the importance of eating healthy and the strength to be found in farming. “I have always had a vision that people would come to this farm broken and leave whole,” Valerie said. Although both Valerie and Immanuel had established careers in other areas, a passion for farming was born through the needs of a family member. “I grew up on a tobacco farm, so agriculture was no stranger to me, but I was a nurse by trade.” Valerie said, “However, when my brother got diagnosed with colon cancer, he reminded me of the importance of knowing what’s in the food that we eat as well as where it comes from. It sparked a passion in me to not only help him, but to further his message.” Thus, Jireh Family Farms was born. Today, the farm is home to a variety of livestock animals, including chickens, rabbits, turkeys, and beef cattle.
Valerie and Immanuel saw a growing need in the community during 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck most of the world. “People needed a place to go with their families and friends that wouldn’t expose them to the virus,” Valerie said. “We knew that we could provide that space here on the farm, so we started hosting summer camps.” These summer camps are still offered to the community today and teach kids many fundamental values about our state’s number one industry. “We believe in fostering a passion for farming in the next generation and these camps allow us to do that,” Valerie said. Keep an eye on their website for 2024 summer camp dates and registration.
Since they first opened the farm to kids, Jireh Family Farms has become an agritourism hub in the community offering herbal classes, farm tours, ice cream, farm-to-table dinners, pool rentals, educational classes, and Air BnB rentals. In fact, they have a farm-to-table dinner, or Sunday Supper, coming up on Sunday, November 5th. “My father was a chef, so I have always loved to cook,” Immanuel said. “I take a lot of pride in creating delicious meals out of the products grown and raised on our farm. We create the menu ourselves, and if we don’t have the products that are needed for that menu, we reach out to neighboring farms to fulfill the need. It truly is a locally grown meal, bursting with flavor.” Jireh Family Farms hosts four farm-to-table dinners throughout the year. Each dinner typically offers four or five courses for up to 30 guests. “It is a fun intimate time together for those who come to join us, and it gives good insight into the importance of eating local,” Immanuel said. Ticket prices range from $50-100 per person depending on the materials needed for the dinner, drinks brought in to pair with the dishes and entertainment for guests. Check out their website for more details and to buy tickets today!
In addition to their seasonal events, Jireh Family Farms also offers farm tours throughout the year where people can come to interact with the animals and learn about their importance in the industry. “I enjoy having people out on the farm and watching them interact with the animals by feeding or petting them,” Valerie said. “It’s rewarding to watch their faces light up as they learn about how these animals impact their lives on a daily basis and the hard work that goes into caring for them.” Farm tours are offered as an add on for special events like birthday parties or get togethers as well as Air BnB rentals. Tours can also be booked by contacting the farm via email, phone, or Facebook.
You and your family can also purchase a Thanksgiving turkey from Jireh Family Farms this year to support the community and enjoy a local meal together. “We partner with a local farm to offer turkeys this time of year for interested families,” Immanuel said. “People can preorder on our website for $30 and then when they pick it up on the farm the total price will be $7.95 per pound. It’s a great way to have a local turkey on the table this holiday season and not only thank the farmers who raised that turkey but support them as well.” Check out their website for more information or to preorder your turkey today.
Products from Jireh Family Farm can be purchased at their on-site farm store or through their website. “We are humbled and thankful to everyone who purchases from us,” Immanuel said. “God is the only way that we have been able to do what we do on the farm. He is our provider, as is echoed in our farm name Jireh. So, seeing the community rally together in support of that is a beautiful thing.” Start making plans today to attend a class, educational workshop, farm tour, farm-to-table dinner or other event at Jireh Family Farm and learn all about their hard work in our state’s agricultural industry.
