Agarita Farms

Last Saturday I went out to a friend's farm in Fredricksburg, Texas just 90 miles west of Austin in the spectacular Hill Country. I bribed my 14 year old daughter with ten bucks and dinner to join me. We made out way west listening to Blink 182 and reading the latest Seventeen magazine. Two hours later, we meet Tom and Bev Carnes at their home on the 365 acre family farm around 4:00. Tommy is a high school friend of mine from Denton where we graduated a year apart. I found him on Facebook and was curious about his farming life.

The end of May is hot and humid, but there were a few clouds in the sky that kept the sun from constantly beating down on us as we toured the crops, some fading out while others were just getting started. Unlike my backyard garden, Tommy has rows and vast varieties of veggies I only have a few each of. I really liked the mixed lettuce garden that he lets go to seed in the summer so it can reseed itself in the fall when things cool down.

He and Bev have been selling their vegetables at the local Fredricksburg Farmer's Market on Thursdays making about $200 a week. No, the farm does not support them, rather Tom hangs a shingle in Kerrville where he practices law. Bev works on the farm and helps manage Tom's financials and books guests into their two farm-stay cottages at the far end of the property and works part time as a speech pathologist. It's a two person operation, work is slow, but there is always new innovations while they learn through trial and error.

Grazing on diverse meadows and pastures are some 100 plus Jacob and Navajo sheep. They raise them to sell and for their coats. Shearing took place a few weeks ago, and yes I did bring home both a Jacob and Navajo fleece, but that is another entry on another day.

I plan on returning to Agarita Farms to encourage and support these two hard working folks while they create more sustainability for themselves and others. For more information you can reach them at http://www.agaritacreek.com/