Vendor Spotlight: The Vibrant Journey of B & C Farms: A Story of Growth, Dedication, and Community Spirit

"When we first moved here, this was a very dilapidated farm," Carolin reminisced. "It had a torn-down shed, an old house, and remnants of a fallen-down shop. But that was just the beginning of our story."

With unwavering determination, Ben and Carolin embarked on a transformative journey over the next 14 years.

Nestled among rolling hills and lush green pastures, a typical gravel farm drive appears; B & C Farms stands at the end, humble and wholesome. This charming farm, complete with a back lane leading deeper into the property, is marked by the exact type of archway you'd anticipate on a ranch and is home to much more than meets the eye.

On a recent visit to the farm, we had the opportunity to connect with Carolin about the Journey (the capital is intentional) she and Ben (hence B & C Farms) travelled to get from a dilapidated farm to a thriving participant at the Horton Farmers' Market.

​"We bought it for the land, for the space. We took everything down, built our first barn, and lived there." Carolin gestures to the Farm Store. "While building our house."

The farm evolved from housing cow-calf pairs to expanding into stalker livestock. "We try to carry around 40-ish head," Carolin shared, laughing about their initial underestimation of their needs. "Turns out, we needed more barn space."

Their commitment to quality was evident in every detail, from choosing breeds for leaner meat to their unique processing facility. "Our customer base is growing," she beamed, reflecting on their journey. "The Horton Market has been a game-changer, providing consistency and growth opportunities."

While they began their journey as a hobby farm without necessarily anticipating going pro, farm life is familiar for both Ben and Carolin - they both grew up on farms, surrounded by farms. Their growth from hobby toward raising cattle commercially and adding on a processing facility began slowly until everything changed.

In 2020, when obtaining some of the required meat cuts became difficult, the pair opted to solve their problem and open their own butchering facility to augment the on-farm store. 

This expansion subsequently increased the products they could make available. The extensive offerings include sausage, poultry (5-star recommendation for the Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast), pork, beef tallow, and unique cuts you likely don't see in regular grocery stores like Butt Bacon.

Carolin's eyes lit up as she spoke about underrated cuts like skirt steaks and chuck eyes. "We're able to increase sales by educating customers on these gems," she explained. "It's about more than just selling meat; it's about sharing knowledge and creating connections."

It turns out there are a lot of underrated cuts of meat. This is the beauty of shopping at a farmers' market like The Horton Farmers' Market. As a consumer, you can connect directly with the person providing the product. In this case, Carolin can offer suggestions on preparation, such as how to slice a skirt steak to melt in your mouth just as much as that tenderloin you've been dreaming of.

Their journey wasn't without challenges, but their perseverance and community support were unwavering. "The community has been absolutely amazing," Carolin emphasized. "From embracing our products to appreciating our dedication, it's been a rewarding experience."
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​As the interview concluded, the essence of B & C Farms shone through—a testament to hard work, passion, and the power of community. From dilapidation to dynamism, their story was a reminder that every journey, no matter how humble its beginnings, can blossom into something beautiful with dedication and a little bit of love.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast

Skirt Steak

"We love the incredible atmosphere at Horton. The vendors are all so supportive of one another, great connections with other small businesses like us, supporting local farmers, amazing food/product that you know there is so much care put into it and our customers."