by Malinda Dunlap Fillingim
When Cheryl Ferguson graduated from South Stokes High School back in the mid 1970’s, chances are she wasn’t planning on returning to her family’s King homestead farm to live as an adult and become a USDA Certified Organic small family farmer.
But that’s exactly what she did.
The land, now called Plum Granny Farm, has been in Cheryl’s family well over 140 years, growing tobacco and raising cattle at various times. Cheryl and her partner, Ray Tuegel, officially moved full time to the farm from Albuquerque in 2009, living in the same house where Cheryl’s father had been born. “We wanted the farm to be an active, real farm again. There is so much potential here,” said Cheryl. Within close proximity of Hanging Rock State Park, Plum Granny is ideally suited for agritourism and helping others learn more about food sources, while providing quality food for purchase.
The hardships of farming are surpassed by the joys of seeing others pick fruit and vegetables for the first time and learning how well their customers enjoy the food products. “Customer feedback is very important. We love to hear how beautiful our farm is and how excited people are to come out and pick things themselves. We love telling folks how to grow things and to share the love of the land with them,” said Cheryl. A recent workshop at Reynolda Gardens led by Cheryl and Ray gave participants a chance to learn how to grow garlic at home.
Plum Granny Farm, a NC Century Farm, may just in fact be one of the largest garlic farms in the Piedmont area. But garlic is not the only crop Plum Granny sells.
Farmer’s markets in King and in Winston-Salem are two main places where Plum Granny items are sold, including, according to season, strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries, fingerling potatoes, herbs, and so much more. If you can’t get to one of these farmer’s markets, their jams are sold online. Plum Granny also sells to several Piedmont restaurants, supporting the farm to table concept, and fresh local foods being available to customers.
People are often given second chances in life to grow and learn from the past, and just maybe land too has a second chance to grow and evolve into a new life, with new purpose. The 54 rolling acres of Plum Granny Farm seems to be undergoing a new birth. If you’re wondering where the name Plum Granny is derived, think about an old timey flower from the Appalachian Mountain area known both as plum granny and passion. And perhaps passion for the rebirth of her homeland is exactly what motivates Cheryl Ferguson to nurture her land while nurturing her heart as well..
NOTE: Photo credits: Flavor NC.
……………………………………………………………….
Plum Granny Farm Roasted Garlic
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel a few outer wrappers from the garlic bulb.
Cut ¼ to ½ inch off the top of the cloves.
Place on foil or in small baking dish.
Drizzle or brush olive oil on top of cloves. Add a dash of salt and pepper.
Cover loosely with foil. Poke a hole in the foil for steam to escape.
Bake 30 – 35 minutes.
Pull cloves out with a knife or small fork. Spread on toast or a cracker
GET CREATIVE
Add a slice of tomato, salt, pepper
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese
Maybe some olives? A leaf of basil?
Recipe (Provided by Cheryl Ferguson)
……………………………………………………………….
Plum Granny Farm
1041 Flat Shoals Road
King, NC 27021
336-994-2517
Eat well. Eat local. Know your farmer.
……………………………………………………………….
Malinda Dunlap Fillingim had the good fortune to move to her step-father’s hometown, Walnut Cove, NC when she was in eighth grade. Curious by nature, Malinda asked Mama Dunlap so many questions about her cooking that she finally gave up some of the old recipes she carried in her head. Malinda is an ESL teacher at Cape Fear Community College and lives in Leland with her husband.
Leave a Reply