Art Duckworth
Stanley, NC
Beef, Pork, Eggs, Honey, Jams

Apple Orchard Farms has been at its present location since 1971; the first plantings were apple trees, thus the name. Art has a passion for producing foods that are raised without added chemicals or other non-natural substances that may be harmful to our bodies. He farms full time, with occasional assistance from friends and family, because he believes in a healthier lifestyle, the land, and the all natural foods that come from it. There are a variety of products produced here with a focus on quality, not quantity.

AOF is considered a model small farm and they are educators and mentors for other individuals who want to farm. Art uses environmentally safe practices and his long-term strategy is to be totally self-sustaining. For example, the water for their cattle is obtained from a solar powered well, which is one of the first fully functional solar systems in NC. Art plans to install a windmill to drive a pump to water his gardens from a farm pond.

Art plants and raises primarily heirloom garden plants and saves seeds from year to year. One of his green bean varieties has been in the family since 1792.

Apple Orchard Farms has several certifications:

• NC Certified Meat Handler
• NC Certified Roadside Farm
• NC Certified Kitchen
• NC Certified Beekeeper

Produce

AOF uses all natural controls such as burning, handwork, poultry, martins, deep plowing, etc. to control pests, weeds, and disease in its produce. Art recycles all manures on the farm and adds compost to the soil. He does not use pesticides or herbicides, just good soil, sunshine, and water.

Beef

AOF raises 12-20 black angus pasture raised cattle annually. Art purchases feeder steers from other local farmers, but only grass fed steers that have been raised without hormones and antibiotics. The cattle are fed small amounts of all natural grains for gentling and handling purposes. Some are finished on grass only and some are finished on all-natural hammered grains if their frame size warrants additional growth. Any sickened animals that require antibiotics are never sold for meat; they are sold at local livestock sales.

AOF never uses hormones, steroids or growth promoters in its cattle.

Pork

AOF raise 40-50 pigs annually and raise them all on the farm. They are pasture raised with additional all natural hammered feeds.

AOF never uses hormones, steroids or growth promoters in its pigs.

Eggs

AOF raises 2-3 dozen heirloom chickens (layers) on the farm. They are free range chickens and are not force molted. The chickens stay in the herd about 2-3 years.

AOF never uses hormones, steroids, or growth promoters in its chickens.

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Apple Orchard Farm