When David Vernon’s Aunt Martha was a little kid in the 1930s, she once had some friends ask to come home with her after school to play. When the school bus dropped them off at her house, though, she quickly realized that they weren’t just interested in playing. “She got frustrated because they didn’t actually … Read more
As of November 8, 2024, Rameses, the live animal mascot for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been around for 100 years, but that’s relatively recent history for the farm where he lives. When Rameses debuted at a VMI vs. UNC football game in 1924, Jimmy Carter was five weeks old. Ace … Read more
Norman Jordan Jr. is the third-generation owner of Brush Creek Swiss Farms, a dairy farm in Siler City. Although started by his grandfather, the exact origin of when the farm began milking cows commercially is unknown among relatives. The Jordan family decided to establish 1927, the birth year of Norman Jordan Sr., as the start … Read more
Five miles from the western tip of North Carolina sits Payne Meadows, a sixth-generation farm in the prime tourist town of Murphy. Surrounded by lakes, Appalachian Mountains and North Georgia communities, the atmosphere provides the perfect nature getaway. Previously a cattle farm throughout the years, Payne Meadows has transitioned to the events industry as of … Read more
The Barn at Cranberry Creek is an incredibly stunning wedding venue located in Boonville in Yadkin County. It opened just four years ago in the spring of 2018 by three brothers, Darin, Dwayne and Neil Brown. The three brothers, however, are not the first generation of Browns to make use of this property. This land … Read more
In the 1840s, Evva Hanes’ great-grandfather purchased the land that would be home to his family for over 100 years. The land continued to be passed down through the years, becoming the property of Evva and her siblings in the 1950s. In an attempt to keep the family land together, Evva bought each of her … Read more
In 1796, Hugh Harrell planted the roots of a family farm in Bakersville that would grow with love over the centuries. Harrell Hill Farms has produced a variety of products throughout time, but the family has always valued education and each other. Luther Harrell, a descendant of Hugh, was one of the first farmers in … Read more
Located in Cleveland County, Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard and Winery operates on farmland that has been in the Baker family for quite some time. Ann Edwards, an owner of the vineyard, said her grandfather first used the family’s farmland, growing corn for his federally licensed liquor. As a “gentleman farmer,” Ann’s grandfather farmed mostly for … Read more
Since the late 1700s, the Key family has reaped the benefits of the same land in Surry county, whether that be through farming or other business ventures. Following the Revolutionary War, Martin Rice Key moved from Virginia to North Carolina, settling on what would be the family’s land for centuries. At one point, the family’s … Read more
Since 1913, the Petersons have been operating their family farm in Sampson County. Carla Peterson and her husband, Chris, currently own the farm, but it was his grandfather who laid the foundation in the early 1900s. Mr. Peterson’s grandfather sold books door to door in order to make money. He then bought war bonds, using … Read more
