A Growing Operation: Fourth Generation Keeps Hunter Farms Going
Produce operation provides fresh food for Boonville area
BOONVILLE-It started in 1918. That’s when Landon Hunter’s ancestors began growing tobacco just outside of Boonville. The family worked the land for decades, but as time went on, they realized tobacco was dying out. And so they started looking for something different. Landon and his wife Autumn went to Young Farmers workshops, organized by the U.S. Farm Bureau. They studied different crops and worked out which ones would be the best fit. Then in 2016, they
Worked with Landon’s parents Brent and Leshia to make the change, turning a tobacco operation into Hunter Farms Family Produce.
“That first year, the business was more or less an oversized garden,” Autumn Hunter said. “We figured, why not take it to a farmers’ market? Now we sell at seven farmers’ markets, here at the farm and at D & J Galaxy grocery.”
When Autumn says it was an oversized garden, she’s being serious. In 2016, produce covered just three quarters of an acre at the farm. Now though, it’s a different story, with fruits and vegetables spread out over 25 acres. Also, Hunter Farms raises beef and pork to sell at retail. And while some businesses have been hurt by the COVID-19 shutdown, that’s not the case for Hunter Farms. With so many grocery stores running low on certain items, the situation’s given people a reason to look for local options.
“They’re starting to see that fresh food looks a little better, it tastes a little better,” Autumn said. “Maybe this [shutdown] gives people the push they need to buy local.”
Handling Different Roles
Everyone has their own role with the operation. For Landon, that means handling things behind the scenes. He’s the one tackling equipment repairs and maintenance, along with packing and loading supplies. You’ll also find him out in the fields most days, working the row crops and dealing with irrigation. Autumn meanwhile handles the customers. She’s the person you see when you come by to pick up vegetables, the one who handles any call-in orders from people, restaurants or grocery stores. When she’s not doing that, you’ll find her out helping with planting or packing. Brent meanwhile travels to most of the local farmers markets during the week and you’ll find Leshia at the Elkin farmers market on Saturdays.
“We stay busy,” Autumn said. “I keep things updated on our Facebook page so people know what we have to sell and if anything changes, like our hours.”
Hunter Farms is part of a revival of sorts in the agriculture industry. According to a 2019 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, family farms account for 96 percent of the 2.2 million farms currently operating in the country. That’s an increase of 4 percent since 2015. Before that, family farms had actually been declining in the U.S., with the percentage ranging between 85 to 90 percent.
Finding The Farm
The farm itself is pretty easy to find. You just head down U.S. Highway 601 South outside of Boonville and signs will lead the way. The address is 6813 U.S. Highway 602 South and the farm is open for business from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plus, you can find them out at the Yadkinville Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays, the Mocksville market on Wednesdays, the Mount Airy Farmers’ Market on Friday mornings, Bermuda Run on Friday afternoons and then Yadkinville and Elkin on Saturdays. They also have a website, www.hunterfarmsfamilyproduce.com, where you can order meat in bulk and other supplies.
Brian Carlton is the editor for NWNC. He can be reached at brian.carlton38@gmail.com.
