Farm Tour: Mae Farm BBQ
In North Carolina, BBQ is a classic East versus West rivalry… pulled or chopped, vinegar or red sauce? As a native Eastern North Carolinian, I’m pretty partial to chopped BBQ with a vinegar based sauce (George’s BBQ Sauce is a pantry staple). In my opinion, there is just no replacement for an Eastern NC Pig Pickin’ or a good BBQ sandwich from the slews of “real” BBQ joints east of I-95, although Cooper’s in downtown Raleigh is pretty dang good. And, I can’t mention BBQ without at least acknowledging the pork prowess of Lexington, NC.
But when I get a hankering for some BBQ I’m not always up for a drive to Wilson, Greenville or Lexington. The local answer to my cravings came this past fall while on the Eastern Triangle Farm Tour, when I discovered Mae Farm and their BBQ!
{photo from flickr}
Mae Farm is a natural free range farm located just outside of Raleigh, in Louisburg, NC. In addition to pigs, they also raise cows and goats, all of which get to enjoy a humane and natural life of grazing, rooting, and roaming. They have implemented an impressive pasture rotation program and work with local environmental groups to ensure that the farm has the lowest environmental impact possible. They have also received the Animal Welfare Certificate of Compliance which acknowledges their commitment to humane farming practices. Farm tours and nature walks are available to school and civic groups, and offer a great opportunity to connect and see free range farming in practice.
{photo from flickr}
{photo from flickr}
Their dedication to sustainable farming practices is not only good for the environment but tastier too! Mae Farm produces a variety of pork, beef, and goat products that are available via their website, the State Farmers Market, and at selected Whole Foods throughout the state. I highly recommend their heat-and-serve BBQ. It is $7 a pound, which is just the perfect amount for four heaping BBQ sandwiches. When a road trip is not in order, it definitely hits the spot for me. But, of course if you want the full Eastern NC BBQ experience, whole BBQ pigs are available too. Just call me when it’s time to eat!
{photo from flickr}
Thanks for writing about us! We have worked hard this year and have some new products at the Raleigh State Farmers market. The recession has been tough on us but our customers are helping us hold on.
Mike Jones