BesMaid Garden Essentials

A Farm Story by Gardener Bobby Britt.

I have lived in Decatur all of my life. My dad sold vegetables from the family garden off the back of his pickup truck for years. As kids we always helped dad. By 16, I started taking gardening more seriously. I was pretty excited about the new rototiller. Ever since then I grew the size of that family garden until it got to be 1/4 acre, then 1/2 acre, then 1 acre….and in 2011 it's almost 3 acres.

In 2005, BesMaid Garden Essentials became my full-time career. The name came from an ice cream business where my father worked for almost 20 years.

All the fertilizers used on the farm are Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI) approved. I follow standard organic practices. I use certified organic fish emulsion and seaweed for fertilizer. I maintain safe, sustainable farming practices. In addition to the compost I make on the property, I also supplement with animal manure from local farms.

I regularly use cover crops for "green manure" such as rye as a winter cover crop and Hairy Vetch, buckwheat, soy beans, and Sudan grass as summer cover crops. Local restaurants have buying my fresh seasonal produce for the last 5 years. I love my farm and my customers love the produce. I'm still building my field of dreams!

Springer Mountain Farms

Nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Springer Mountain Farms continues to provide the very best and most nutritious chicken possible, which is why our chicken is different than any other. Our chickens are 100% All Natural with NO Antibiotics, NO Growth Stimulants or Hormones, and are NEVER fed Animal By-products... they only receive a Vegetarian Diet with natural vitamins and minerals and fresh mountain water. We, at Springer Mountain Farms, not only care about what goes into our chickens, but also how they are raised. We were the first poultry company in the world to be American Humane Certified by the American Humane Association, the longest running child and animal welfare organization in the nation. We exercise great care in all that we do, and you can truly taste the difference. Try Springer Mountain Farms chicken today...locate a retailer or shop online!

The Yonah Mountain Vineyards

Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a privately held 197 acre estate. Visits to the vineyard and Georgia winery are best made by joining the Tour de la Cave & Barrel Tasting, which is offered at noon on most Saturdays. Contact the tasting room for reservations and to prepay. Visits to the Georgia vineyard can also be made by appointment.

Currently, seven varieties of grapes are thriving on 13 acres of the rolling hills property. Chardonnay was planted in 2007; Cabernet Sauvignon in 2008. Eight additional acres were planted in 2011 with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other noble grapes. Yonah Mountain Vineyards took its first harvest in 2010.