Just a few miles outside Columbia on East 80 and Blackaby Road, Blackaby Hill Farm is giving local residents a new way to purchase fresh produce, homemade baked goods and handcrafted jams, jellies and more directly from the source.
Owners Tim and Lisa Blackaby have been familiar faces at the local farmers’ market for several years, selling produce and homemade products grown and made on their farm. In May, the couple took the next step by opening a storefront on their property and allowing customers to shop closer to where the products are grown and prepared.
“We had been talking about it, like in time, we would like to get something going here,” said Tim. “It’s a lot of work taking it back and forth to the market.”
The storefront officially opened in May and is certified through the farmers’ market program. Offerings vary throughout the year depending on what is in season and available from the farm.
Currently, customers can find a variety of greens, herbs and bedding plants, along with homemade jams, relishes and other specialty products. Lisa Blackaby also prepares an assortment of cakes and breads using ingredients grown on the farm whenever possible.
Tim said Lisa enjoys experimenting with unique flavors and recipes that are not commonly found.
Among the specialty items she produces are zippy zucchini marmalade, blueberry butter, salted caramel apple butter, basil garlic tomato sauce and raspberry vanilla jam.
Her baking selections change regularly, with two or three specialty cakes or breads offered each week. Some customer favorites include peach lemony zucchini bread, blueberry coffee cake, lemon curd crumb cake and chocolate sweet potato cake.
In addition to produce and baked goods, the farm is also expanding into beekeeping. Tim said the farm currently has honeybees, and he hopes to offer local honey by next year.
Tim takes pride knowing that their products are grown, raised or made locally and not mass produced in a warehouse.
“Like I used to say with the produce and the chicken, whatever, I guarantee you all this stuff, it’s got an address and you can visit that address anytime you want, just give me a call and let me know you’re coming,” said Tim. “It’s not coming from China or Mexico or anywhere else. It’s not mass produced.”
The farm store is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. As more produce becomes available during the growing season, additional operating days may be added.
Customers can follow Blackaby Hill Farm on Facebook for updates on weekly bread and cake offerings, seasonal produce availability and store hours.
The store is located at 286 Blackaby Rd.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
