Feb

Tastes like Family Values: Lazy Willow Farm- Washington, GA

I’ve been known to get turned around a few times behind the wheel but this time, I promise, it was googlemaps’s fault. When I called up Ben LeGette, owner of Lazy Willow Farm, to help me locate myself, his gentle voice of reason patiently set me straight. The farm is located 45 minutes Southwest of Athens in Washington, GA and is truly a family operation. Ben-owner and lead grower, little sister Melissa-chief weeder and animal wrangler, and Mom and Pop-extra helping hands, all beautifully work side by side. While farming is something that no one in the family had thought much about a few years back, it has quickly blossomed into something that would be hard to live without.

Ben, who has a BS in civil engineering and a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu London, “knew [he] wanted to work with food, it just took [him] some time to figure out [his] place.” Without much formal farm training, the family has learned many lessons through trial and error, “like the time the sheep got out and ate all..ALL the cabbage,” Melissa says with a laugh. And last year’s uncommonly cold winter that wiped out most of the greens, which is hard to believe as it’s February and we’re comfortably in flip-flops and t-shirts.

But each new season brings new beginnings. This year the new green house/insurance system for the greens is working its magic. It stays warm and humid enough in there to make your glasses fog, perfect for thriving shiitake logs. Some new lettuce and kale seeds are just getting started and the beds for the summer tomato crop are getting prepared.

The fields, which span over 11 acres, are being harvested for carrots and they’re giants! The variety of leafy greens have a bed to themselves in the back that’s so beautiful it looks like it’s meant for decoration.The sheep are all pregnant and all too happy to munch on the leftover carrot tops, hey they’re eating for two. These katahdin sheep are bred for their meet and are known for their hardiness and nurturing behavior. They all have a name and are treated more like family pets than dinner. When asked if it was hard to turn these guys into lamb chops Melissa explained to me “knowing that the sheep are going to have short lives makes us appreciate the time they are living more, it’s more humane that way.”

Currently Lazy Willow Farm sells their goods to the Athens and Augusta Locally Grown online markets and will be back at the Athens and Washington Farmers Markets when they start up again in Spring. They are CNG certified, which is essentially means they use organic practices just without the expensive title. Melissa writes about farm happenings and posts in season recipes that are chef approved! So next time you’re in the Athens area and seeking some wholesome food check out Lazy Willow Farm’s produce, you may even taste some of those family values.