GLAMPING WEEKEND: FIVE MARYS FARM WITH THE AMERICAN LAMB BOARD

GLAMPING WEEKEND: FIVE MARYS FARM WITH THE AMERICAN LAMB BOARD

October 6, 2018  by Kylie Mazon-Chambers

Fort Jones, California  

September 21, 2018 – September 23, 2018 

A few weeks ago I was privileged to experience how one family made a mindful return to small farming.  Mary and Brian Hefferman did just that, establishing a family farm called Five Marys in Fort Jones California. A little over four years ago they left their more traditional life in Silicon Valley where they owned small businesses including restaurants and a law firm, and moved their four young daughters up to live on the roughly 1,800 acres of farmland they purchased in Fort Jones, California. Why the sudden change? The couple owned family-friendly restaurants but couldn’t find ethically sourced meat that tasted the way they wanted. The weekend getaway turned into a full time lifestyle. Now their farm supplies direct to customers looking for high-quality meat raised with care. 

I am both a meat eater and an animal lover. My experience at Five Marys helped me to reconcile those two seemingly contradictory points of view. While it can be hard for some people to see (and sure it may turn some into vegetarians) I think that observing the process through from start to finish gives one an appreciation for the food that we eat. I try to eat smaller portions of high quality and better-sourced meat, from farms where I know that the animal has had the best life it possibly could have had. I don’t want processes to be hidden because I want to know that the food I am eating has been raised the best possible way. 

I have been working with the American Lamb Board for almost a year now. They hosted me and about 15 other women who are involved in blogging, butchery and other meat related industries at Five Marys Farm for the weekend to learn more about where our meat comes from and the best practices in the industry. The American Lamb Board aims to encourage consumers to opt for domestic, American-raised lamb rather than lamb imported from places like Australia and New Zealand. Simply put, lamb that is raised and harvested closer to where you live means you eat it sooner, fresher and therefore it will taste better.

Going into the weekend my knowledge of life on a farm was incredibly limited. I was amazed at all of the work the couple does maintaining and running their business every day. From waking up to feed all the animals, sell the meat, run their restaurant and store in town, take care of their four daughters, to even birthing calves, I have no idea how they manage to do it all. But they do it with such energy and care that it is inspiring to be around. You can follow their adventures on the farm on their Instagram where they have amassed quite a following. Mary posts stories from both the good and bad adventures living and running the farm.

We spent the nights “glamping” – a more upscale version of camping and really the only way I will do it! The canvas cabins included hardwood floors and surprisingly comfortable beds. It’s the best way to feel one with nature while still sleeping in a bed under layers of blankets. The head chef from their restaurant, Chef Hunter cooked us dinner at camp in their full outdoor kitchen. Over the weekend Chef prepared braised lamb with polenta and barley salad for dinner Friday, lamb merguez shakshuka with pita bread for breakfast and whole spit-roast lamb for dinner on Saturday night.

On Saturday morning we joined Mary and Brian for a tour around the farm. We happened to be visiting during calving season, when baby calves were being born every day! On the farm there are 300 Navajo churro ewes (a heritage breed), they get just under 400 lambs each year. In their herd of Black Angus cattle they have 180 mom cows. Fun fact: prior to having babies they aren’t called cows they are called heifers. Each member of the herd is tagged so their health and history can be tracked. They also have Gloucestershire pigs, chickens and horses around the farm all protected by two guard dogs.

Every so often cows will abandon their babies and the Heffernan girls will take the calf in and bottle-feed it. Around the fire the girls were talking about their calf at the same time they were referencing some imaginary friends so we assumed they were making it up too – nope! They really had a baby calf in the back of their truck! Living on a farm gives one an interesting perspective on the circle of life. The girls casually talked over what they would name the calf if it lived the night.

People should know where their food comes from. I have tried to be more mindful about the conditions in which my meat products are raised and harvested. The way the animals are raised affects the taste and quality of the meat. The high demand for cheap meat has led to an industry where animals are often treated poorly and workers and ecosystems are taken for granted, but Five Marys believes there are no shortcuts and they seek to provide people with meat that is never treated with antibiotics or hormones, organically minded and GMO free whenever possible. It’s important to point out that if an animal is in pain or in need of antibiotics they will treat it, but they will find another use for the animal, it will not become a part of their meat program. The cattle are grass fed and finished with barley – in California grass doesn’t grow all year so they believe this method ensures the highest quality meat. They even ship their products in sustainable packaging, not single-use Styrofoam. 

I am so grateful to the American Lamb board for a memorable weekend with amazing women on Five Marys farm. 

A huge thank you to Five Marys Farm and the American Lamb Board for hosting as well as Hayfork for providing the wine!