REVIEW: Mount Vernon Farms, VA

I’ve been wanting to write this review for so long but my summer got away from me.  If you live in the DC, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia corridor of I-81 and you are looking for a fantastic farm who really ‘gets it’, Mount Vernon Farm is a great place to start.

After stumbling upon the website by accident, I called Mount Vernon Farms and spoke with Molly.  I found her to be really open and helpful about what they offer and how they run their farm.  I was impressed immediately.  But I’m a little sneaky about my questions, you see.  I always ask farmers open-ended questions and don’t indicate what direction I lean for answers.  I just let the farmers talk away because I feel that I get the most honest answers that way. Molly was straightforward about all that they do at the farm including what they wanted to focus on for the future.  She also had all the right answers as to how to properly care for the animals that they raise at Mount Vernon Farms.  She PASSED my test.  So I headed out to the farm to try their meats.

About the Products

Beef

All the beef is 100% grass-fed.  They receive no grains at all.  And what I found to be most impressive is that they seem to have found a solution to tough grass-fed beef.  They only slaughter twice a year.  Spring and Fall.  Do you know why?  Apparently the fast growing grasses cause the meat to become more tender.  Well, that makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?

Pork and Eggs

As you may know, pigs and chickens do require some type of supplement grain.  They are omnivores so so being on pasture alone is not sufficient to meet all their nutritional requirements.  They use a non-GMO feed.  I can personally attest that this pork is absolutely the best pork I have ever had.  They were a little short of product when I went to try out their stuff.  But I loaded up on pork belly and it was DIVINE!  Did you know how many things you can make with pork belly?  So many things.  I am SHOCKED that more people don’t buy it up.  I will be going back for more.

The chickens that Mount Vernon raises for eggs are fed a soy free grain mix.  I haven’t had a chance to try it yet and I have closer options for eggs.  (They are about 1 and 1/2 hours from me)  However, I am assuming that these eggs ROCK like everything else.

Lamb

Their lamb is 100% grass-fed as well.  Now, if I am honest I have to say that most of my prior experience with lamb has not been so great.  It tends to have a strange taste that I do not favor.  However, I was assured that if I tried Mount Vernon Farms lamb that I would love it.  Guess what?  I did.  I tried their Lamb Sausage Grillers (sage).  They were delicious and moist without a lot of the gamey taste that I am used to with lamb type products.  I was told that this is because their lamb is 100% grass-fed.  These days, most farmers supplement their lamb with a grain feed.  This is what gives the aftertaste that causes most people to not enjoy the meat.  I can’t wait to buy some more lamb.

Chicken

The chicken meat comes from two local farms nearby.  I was told that these farms do not carry a soy free feed.  So if that doesn’t matter to you then I am sure these chickens would be a fine option for chicken meat as they are also pastured and get much of their nutrients on pasture.

IT GETS BETTER  – They Have a Bed and Breakfast Inn and Wedding Facilities

I felt like I was given the royal treatment when I came to visit for the first time.  My husband and I were taken on a tour of the Inn at Mount Vernon Farms that they have on the property as well as the new facilities that they are building for weddings and events.  Just go check out the pictures on the link above.  As beautiful as they are . . . .they are even more beautiful and elegant in person. They have suites with bathrooms for each room.  And they also have a separate guest cabin with its own living room and separate upper bedroom — so cute.  Meals at the Inn are prepared using the farm and local ingredients.

The barn that is being converted for wedding purposes is rustic for sure, but that is part of the charm.  If I was to renew my vows again, it would be here.  For sure.

I secretly (or not so secretly) hope my hubs reads this blog post!  Honey, if you are reading this — this would be a nice get-away.  Can’t you see it?  A little private adventure in an Inn at the farm, with good and wholesome real food, and plenty of outdoor activities in the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.  Maybe on our 15th next summer?

A Few Things to Note

Low Inventory Periodically – Because Mount Vernon Farms only slaughters a select times of the year there are times when their inventory runs low.  It is best to purchase around slaughter time and stock up.  Or you may want to consider purchasing a partial animal and store in a freezer until the next slaughter time.

Buying Club Options – If you live a little ways out from the farm you can check to see if there is a buying club that delivers nearby.  Check this link for information on where Mount Vernon Farms has drop points around the region.

Looking for a fantastic photographer? Molly is an excellent photographer.  She takes professional landscape and people pictures and is one of the featured photographers for Flavor Magazine.  Check our her website fro more info, here.

Looking for Raw Local Pastured Dog and Cat Food? Find out more about a local option for MD, VA, DC, and WV here.  MVF also sells many of their products for your four-legged children. My picky puggies tried some and they LOVE it!