I am proud to be leading a group of North Carolina Bloggers to highlight North Carolina Beef today. Follow the roundup links to learn about 9 farms around North Carolina that raise North Carolina beef! I’m proud to partner with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to bring you this round-up. Thanks for sponsoring, NCDA!
North Carolina Beef
There are almost 1000 farms that raise meat in North Carolina. The meat they raise often changes based on market demand, so it’s hard to pinpoint how many farms raise each type of meat. While North Carolina is known for their pork and poultry, I, along with a group of North Carolina bloggers, am here on behalf of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Got To Be NC program to let you know that there is also plenty of excellent quality beef being raised and sold right here in North Carolina. Whether you live near in the mountains, down in the Piedmont, in the Sandhills, or down at the coast, you are never more than an hour’s or so drive from a beef-producing farm.
Whether you are interested in grass-fed, non-GMO, Animal Welfare Approved, or organic, you will find it being raised right here in North Carolina. And behind each cut of beef you buy from a farm store, farmer’s market or in some cases at the “regular grocery store,” you’ll find a farm family who is passionate about farming, about beef production, and about their animals.
Each of our bloggers visited a different farm, and we’ve all prepared something delicious with the beef we got from those farms. Farmers are busy people, and I’d like to take the time to thank each farm and farmer who allowed our bloggers to come and visit. They took time out of their busy days to give a tour, explain their beef production, pose for photos and answer our questions. Many thanks to hard working farmers of Baldwin Family Farms, Moore Brothers All-Natural Beef, Ninja Cow Farm, Ray Family Farms, Back to Earth Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, and Proffitt Family Farms for making this tour possible.
And now, please browse through our bloggers’ posts, learn about the farms they visited, and grab some delicious recipes to consider when cooking with North Carolina Beef.
Got To Be NC Beef Farms
(And What To Make with Your NC Beef)
Click on either the photo or the link to read about these recipes and the farms where they got their beef. Enjoy!
Beef Marsala Pot Pie | Baldwin Family Farms from Big Bear’s Wife
Chile-Braised Short Rib Tacos | Moore Brothers All Natural Beef from Nourish and Nestle
Simply Perfect Prime Rib Roast | Ninja Cow Farm from Life of a Ginger
Shepherd’s Pie | Ray Family Farms from Girl Gone Gourmet
Back to Earth Tacos | Back to Earth Farm from Jenn on a Mission
Beef Lettuce Wraps | Hickory Nut Gap Farm from Pantry Doctor
Bring it on: GotToBeNC Organic GrassFed Beef | Proffitt Family Farms from Heidi Billotto Food
Bourbon Beef Chili | Newsome Farm from Nik Snacks
Got To Be NC Beef Hearty Chili | Summerfield Farms from The Army Mom
Sweet and Spicy Grass-Fed London Broil | Baldwin Family Farms from Pastry Chef Online
Now that was one delicious and informative round up! And we’ve only covered a handful of the North Carolina beef farms out there. Go online and seek one out near you, get to know where your food comes from and the farmers who work tirelessly to produce it. We are very fortunate to live in a state rich with agricultural heritage and forward thinking men and women who are leading their farms into the 21st century. Get out there and visit your local North Carolina beef farm.
Thank you to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and their Beef Marketing Specialists as well as the Got To Be NC program for making this blog tour possible. NC folks, look for the Got to be NC sign wherever you shop and eat. You’ll know it’s local!
Wendie says
What a fabulous round-up! I can’t wait to read all about the farms and what they have to offer, PLUS make some of these fabulous dishes!
Jennifer Field says
I agree–everything looks delicious and I was so impressed with the wide range of farms and the beef they produce. Really interesting reading about all of them!
Kate | Life of a Ginger says
I had so much fun reading each post and learning all about the farms and their cows. I had no idea there were so many different ways to raise cattle or that how the cows are fed makes a big difference in the taste of the beef!
I cannot wait to make these dishes. They all look delicious!
Jennifer Field says
Truly! I have learned so much in reading everyone’s posts, Kate! Thank you so much for participating–I think it is so cool the way Ninja Cow Farms feeds their cattle!
Lou Brooks says
We are one of the nearly 1000 meat farmers in NC and are happy to see your bloggers highlight NC beef producers. McCormick Farms is a 225 year old, 8th generation family owned farm that raises grass-fed beef in Spring Lake, NC. We are very proud of our heritage, our cows and our product. Come see us on your next tour. Thank you for your blog highlighting the beef business in NC! Meanwhile, I love having some new recipes to try!!
Jennifer Field says
Lou, hi! So nice to meet you! We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know just a few of the many beef producing farms around the state! I am almost positive we’ll be doing something similar again, and we look forward to featuring McCormick Farms when we do! And I’m with you about the recipes–everyone definitely brought their A Game! =)
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
Such a fun project, Jenni! Your London broil looks amazing 🙂
Jennifer Field says
I am not ashamed to say that I dipped more than a little cold, leftover beef into that cold sauce and even made some into a sandwich using the sauce as a spread! lol Thanks so much for being a part of this, April!
Heidi Billotto says
Thanks Jenni for representing all of us and our recent blogs on NC GotToBeNC Beef so well. This is a wonderful round up on some fabulous local North Carolina farms and cattle ranches by a talented pool of bloggers from across the Carolinas. Cheers!
Jennifer Field says
Thank you so much for being a part of it, Heidi! I love that you represented us on Morning Break!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
I love that you organized this fabulous opportunity for the bloggers, farmers and us! North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is fortunate to have you in their corner and I am SOOOO lucky that I have all of these delicious beef options.
Jennifer Field says
One for every day of the week, and then some, Betsy! Thank you so much–your support is So Very Much appreciated. <3
Jen Busfield says
LOVE this so much! I’ve got a farm nearby that I’m familiar with – Braeburn Farm in Snow Camp. I’ve heard the farmer speak a few times, and of course had fresh-grilled burgers to enjoy! NC had some serious #yummygoodness to explore!
Jennifer Field says
That’s the cool thing about NC. Almost everyone has a farm pretty close by, whether they know it or not! And yes–serious yum!
Beth Ann Chiles says
What a fabulous round up and way to highlight NC Beef! I have a lot of friends in the farming industry in Iowa and I can attest to knowing how well cared for their animals are and I am sure after reading this that NC is exactly the same. So happy to share some great recipes and great info about NC farmers and beef! Thanks!
Jennifer Field says
Oh cool! Did you see one of our bloggers, Kate from Life of a Ginger, is from Iowa too?! Small world! Thanks for sharing, Beth Ann!
Mindy says
I’ve followed the “Got to be NC” campaign starting several years ago with my job doing sustainability outreach, and continuing personally. I think it’s very important to buy local and eat local as much as possible. Doing so gives you the freshest, most nutritious products, while supporting local businesses and farms. Of course that only strengthens our NC economy. Plus it tastes better!!!! Thank you for sharing. I’ll be sure to check out the other blogs as well!
Jennifer Field says
Yup, you’ve summed it up nicely! Thanks very much for checking out the round up, Mindy!
Nikki @ Nik Snacks says
Thanks for spearheading this whole project, Jenni. You can tag me in anything at any time that has ANYTHING to do with #gottobenc I love our state so much and there is SO MUCH GOODNESS that needs to be shouted out for all to hear, especially beef. I’ve learned SO MUCH about what’s available in our area over the past month.
Jennifer Field says
I knew I had to ask you to be a part of this, Nikki! You’re a great fit and such an ambassador (ambassadress?) for eating fresh, local food! And I’ve learned so much too–all the beef! Who knew?!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
Thank you for all of the work you put into this Jenni!! I loved working with you, NC BEEF and Baldwin Farms for this project and I love all of the recipes!
Jennifer Field says
Thank *you* Angie for being a part of this! I’m so glad you enjoyed it–it has been a lot of delicious fun! =)
Melinda says
These dishes look AMAZING! I can’t wait to try some.
Jennifer Field says
Thank you so much, Melinda! I appreciate it! =) I have to say the marinade/sauce is pretty excellent! It doesn’t hurt that I got to use delicious grass-fed beef, either!
Jenn Bauguss says
Jenni, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this round up. As much as I enjoyed this project and visiting the farm, I have to admit that my favorite part was “meeting” all of the other bloggers. All of your blogs have been a joy to follow and your recipes are out of the world! (I would have never had the courage to attempt to make a London broil without your guidance!!) As a foodie, I’ve been excited to give them all a try with the the delicious NCBeef that I still have in my freezer. 🙂
Jennifer Field says
Jenn, I have to thank you! You’ve been so positive throughout this whole event, and it was *tough* finding you a farm! I’m so glad we’re connected through this project,and I’m sure we’ll work together again and actually meet sometime. That’s my favorite, to meet people in person over coffee! I love that you’re working your way through all the recipes. What a great way to expand your cooking horizons and enjoy the beef from Back to Earth at the same time!