Emma Vernon says she and her husband Charles are planning to sell their beef at the Agricenter Farmer’s Market when it opens May 19th despite issues from COVID-19.
The Vernons own Vernon Farms Beef in Lakeland.
Mrs. Vernon said there has been a lot of demand for their beef with mentions of meat shortages across the country. “I want to be able to sell my product but I want to do it safely,” said Mrs. Vernon.
She said right now the opening date for the Market is May 19th and it will only be open three days weekly: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Link to story: https://lakelandcurrents.com/agricenter-international-announces-farmers-market-will-open-may-19th/ . She noted that the opening date and schedule could change because of the pandemic.
She does not expect to sell at the Fayette County Farmer’s Market this year.
Mrs. Vernon, 67, and her 77-year-old husband have been married 44 years and are life-long farmers. The oldest farm, 198 acres, is located at 3511 Cobb Rd. in Lakeland and was settled in 1828. Mr. Vernon grew up on this farm. He is the fifth generation of his family to live and work on the farm. In 1976, the farm received the Century Farm Family Land Heritage Certificate of Honor.
The second farm owned by the family is Mrs. Vernon’s family farm in Cordova. Her ancestors purchased the first parcel in 1933. She is the third generation of her family to work the farm.
In 1992, the family started a registered Black Angus herd. They are members of the American Angus Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Both Vernons are graduates of the Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program and the Advanced Master Beef Producer classes.
Mrs. Vernon said their entire herd consists of registered Angus cattle known for their tenderness and flavor. “We have bred the animals over the years to have the best tasting steaks, roasts and ground beef.” She added the cattle graze on pasture their entire lives and the pasture is supplemented with high quality hay harvested on the farm.
Link to the website: https://vernonfarms.com/index.html
