A little over a year ago, when we had finally found the house and decided we would move to a rural county outside the big city of Lexington, KY, an article in a nearby newspaper caught my eye. The article described a business that would be moving to the area soon, Marksbury Farm.
Considering that this came at a time when I was beginning my commitment to buy only small scale, humanely raised and naturally fed animal products, I could not believe my fortune.
You see, according to that article Marksbury Farm was planned to be a processing facility for just that. Local farmers from around the area could have their animals processed at a local facility where they could then sell these products to consumers in the area. This would eliminate the need to drive hundreds of miles to the nearest USDA facility.
That alone had me thrilled, but I was even more excited about the proposed market that was part of this project. The plan was to have a shop where grass-fed, pastured, humanely raised local meats would be sold to the public. A one-stop shop, a place that would mimic the old-fashioned butcher, but with animal products I could feel good about buying and eating.
Fast forward to last summer.
Our community was hosting a showing of Fresh: The Movie and I was asked to speak about the nutritional benefit of local food. It was here that I first met, Richard McAlister, one of the partners behind bringing Marksbury to the area.
It was a busy a time, as they were undergoing USDA organic certification with plans to open the processing facility within that month. The market was soon to follow. It was at that meeting that I realized this wasn’t just rumor or an idea. Soon I would have access to an incredible resource!
Last Saturday, myself and three other Kentucky Food Bloggers – Mindy from Mindy’s Mouthful, Samantha from A Teenage Gourmet, and Melissa from My McDonald Meal met Richard to tour the facilities. I’ve been frequenting the market since the end of December, but this was my first chance to get an up close look at the facilities.
Richard took us through the empty facility and each step of the process for cattle, pigs and poultry. He explained to us each and every precaution they take to ensure humane handling, during this process that, let’s be honest, we really don’t like to think about.
I was glad to hear him mention Dr. Temple Grandin when we took a look at the outdoor holding area. If you haven’t heard of Temple and her research, or haven’t seen the movie that aired on HBO, I highly recommend it.
I have toured a processing facility one other time. As part of my Food Science course at Purdue we explored the facility on campus, and it was interesting to compare the processes there (about 10 years ago) to what I saw at Marksbury. There were noticeable improvements with this facility compared to what I have seen before in terms of respecting the animal and the fact that they are giving their life to nourish us.
We withheld many pictures inside the facility because I know many don’t wish to see that. Then we entered the smoking room, and the storage room. Let me just say, it was a smoked meat lovers paradise.
To simplify, Marksbury processes animals for local farmers. Their guidelines explain the conditions in which the animals must be raised. This meat can be picked up by consumers from the facility who might be ordering a full or half of beef or pork from a specific farmer. In addition, Markbury purchases animals which they process and sell in their market.
Yes, let’s get to the market. Set in a gorgeous old farmhouse is a Kentucky food paradise. Not just meat, but foods of all kinds.
Okay, first the meat. There is every cut you can imagine and some products you might not, everything from pork tenderloin to beef tongue. They are also offering prepared dishes like steak pie and ready-to-cook meatballs. Did I mention that some of the partners are of Scottish descent? So you can imagine the good meats and sausages in the case.
Solving the Meat-to-Market Riddle – Edible Louisville
New Garrard operation provides market for local meat producers and consumers – Lexington Herald Leader
Disclaimer: I received no product or monetary compensation to tour or post about Marksbury Farm.
I hope that some of your Kentucky readers will check this place out after reading your post. 🙂 I’ve been back twice since our tour! If you haven’t tried the granola yourself, the original version is very tasty . . . and so is the yogurt . . . the the sourdough bread! We are so lucky to have this little shop.
This is such an impressive, impressive farm! I’ve heard of Dr. Temple Grandin’s work, and I hope that the standards get adopted more widely in the future. How lucky you are to have access to such a sustainable and humane market.
Wow, that looks like a spectacular spot, and if I am ever in KY, I know one place I’ll not miss. It reminds me of some of the Amish stores in Maryland and I bet just as delicious. Thanks for sharing.
I want to move to Kentucky! Marksbury Farm Market sounds like a true gem and a true local food lover’s paradise. The variety of offerings beyond the (very delicious) meat products is fantastic (especially the chocolate granola and bourbon seasonings). Lucky you!
Thanks for posting on this. I’m very impressed and intrigued. I had no idea we had such a treasure this close to us. I can’t wait to take a trip down some Saturday to stock up on local, humane meat! Thanks again for sharing.
How awesome is that? I wish we had something similar. I just joined a buyer’s club that gets a farm delivery each week instead.
This is so great! And you are so lucky to have this close by. So many abattoirs are closing all the time so it’s great that an organic place is opening and practicing such great stewardship! And all those other treats…
Oh do I ever wish we had a place like that!
What a neat experience! Very cool that you got to take a tour and super cool that you have a place like this near you. Yet another reason i love where I live. I may not eat meat, but my landlord raises his own cattle (in my own none the less) and has his own butcher shop. A few doors down is the dairy station (I think like a union run milk station that all farmers can come and use so they do not need their own). It is fun to see people still doing work themselves and for themselves. I prefer local whenever possible.
Wow Lori, what an interesting market…must be so nice to shop 🙂
I always try to eat local when possible and I am SO jealous that this place is so close to you!
A wonderful local farm & market! The meats sound excellent and I love the look of that delicious cheese!
Samantha – Looks like i have more things to try!
FL and B – I feel really fortunate. It is an amazing little place.
OysterCulture – I’ll take you there myself. 🙂
TN – Not yet, you still have more to explore in the Philippines. Then you can bring all that knowledge to me here in KY. 🙂
Danielle – Definitely make a visit!
Michelle – A buyers club is great. Marksbury is working on setting some of those up around here.
gastroanthro – The timing with my interest and building education on the topic was a bit unbelievable. So fortunate!
kat – I’ll give you this for a while and you can give me your Farmer’s Market in the summer. Then we’ll trade back. 🙂
Melinda – Sounds like you have some awesome access too. I really think there was a lot I missed in Brazil because I simply didn’t know to look for it.
Juliana – It really is.
Joanne – I have to admit, we are so lucky!
5 Star – There is such a huge selection and the cheese is amazing too!
Oh gosh how much do I love this place! What a great addition to the community and a great way to get local products into the hands of the citizens.
Great post! How wonderful to have access to all of that quality and variety, not to mention their humane practices. I’m jealous. 😉