Real People, Real Food

A Forgotten Way of Life
The sun is just about to set as I stand chatting with Carolyn Wheeler up near the barn and look out over the pastoral view. Pastures, forested areas, and hills recede into the haze of distant mountains. A mild evening breeze refreshes us after a very warm day. Carolyn's daughter walks toward us, two little boys running ahead of her. The youngsters are very fast and agile for such little ones.

"How old are they," I ask.

"The older one is three and a half, and the young one is two," Carolyn replies.

I am impressed how sturdy and well-developed these handsome little boys are for their age, and comment on that to Carolyn.

"We're pretty careful to feed them a healthy diet. They eat our beef and chicken and get plenty of vegetables and fruits."

The younger of the boys comes up to Carolyn for a hug, and she lifts him up for a moment, squeezing him affectionately. I bask in the warmth of a mostly forgotten way of life; a farm family of several generations living on the same land and working together.

Grass Fed Beef, Free-Range Chickens
Carolyn and John Wheeler own Wheel-View Farm, where they raise heirloom beef cattle. Healthier and more even tempered than most modern breeds are the hundred-plus head of Belted Galloways and Scottish Highland cattle. This land has been in Carolyn's family for generations. The family also raises chickens and has fresh eggs available most of the year.

Here is where I do my meat and egg shopping. The freshness, rich nourishment, and taste of Wheel-View Farm's meat and eggs reflects a model for how all our food should be raised.

Fortunately, Wheel-View Farm ships frozen beef to folks who don't live within easy driving distance, so people in New York State, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania can benefit from superbly raised grass fed beef.

Close to the Source of Nourishment
I am a 'hands-on' kind of person when it comes to all things, but especially food. I thrive when I can see, touch, and smell the earth and the plants and creatures that provide nourishment. This is real, something you can get your hands on. A real farm, where 'free range' is not just a state of mind, but living, breathing reality.

It is not uncommon to drive up and find someone chasing an errant chicken to get it back into the large pastured enclosure that protects the flock. Carolyn once commented, 'Yes, the chickens are a little too free range!'

Over two hundred acres, most of it pastureland mixed with forest, is the scenic home of the Galloway/ Highland herd. I want to get even more in touch with the source of our nourishment, so I arrange to up come back here and meet with Carolyn early morning. Being up close and personal with at least two score of these ancient heirloom cattle breeds turns out to be an amazing experience. Join me, Carolyn, and the cows in my post entitled, "Close to the Source."