ON AN early April morning, green finial-capped shoots stand tall amid King Stropharia mushrooms, welcoming their caretaker, Don Adams. Bees make their presence known, guarding their queen in the nearby hives. The mulching and weeding of the weeks before pay off in nature’s bounty. Not far away, Kathy Beebe checks on the baby goats, keeping a watchful eye on the sweet one she recently weaned from bottle feedings. She’ll move on to the coop from there, collecting fresh farm eggs for her kitchen and sale. The greenhouse brimming with spring plants testify to Beebe’s green thumb, and nearby, the couple’s freeze-dried goods packaged for delivery to area sellers wait to be loaded. There’s much more yet to do, but they would have it no other way.
It’s a snapshot of only a few hours in a day on Jazzberry Farm in Taft, where the homesteading couple grows and shares the fruits (and veggies) of their labor with the community. It’s where self-sufficiency and sustainable living motivate every choice they make.
Adams is a musician who played with many famous artists and was a school band director. A musician friend suggested the farm’s name, a playful nod to his former life in music and their venture into farming, which they first imagined as a pick-your-own berry farm. Beebe, on the other hand, grew up as a homesteader. Raised in a family that valued small livestock, gardening, and foraging, she brings a wealth of experience to their shared dream.
“As an older man, I’ve become more introverted and want to become more self-sufficient. After COVID, I’ve found many people interested in self-sufficiency as well,” Adams shared.
With the challenge of a back-to-nature lifestyle before them, the couple moved forward, adjusting as needed along the way. Their initial goals were modest — to feed themselves well and sell any excess produce. They do both well.
The couple produces a wide variety of items via organic and permaculture practices. Their freeze-dried products, in particular, have gained significant popularity. They started with a freeze dryer for personal food preservation and soon discovered the nutritional benefits and flavor intensity that freeze-drying offers. Their products have found a niche market, from vegetables and seasonings to trendy freeze-dried candy.
“Freeze-drying makes very tasty vegetable chips. The veggies fit the farm and our philosophy, but the candy sells better. We have processed flowers and other custom foods for several customers, and they turned out great.”
In addition to freeze-dried goods, they sell pastured brown eggs, shiitake mushrooms, and various fruits and vegetables from the couple’s orchards and gardens. They also raise goats, rabbits, quail, and chickens, ensuring a diverse and sustainable food supply.
Life on the farm is not without its challenges. Time management is a constant struggle, and the demands of farm life are relentless. They’re motivated to adjust their processes to the whims and fancies of Mother Nature and life in general.
“There’s never enough time or money to accomplish all we would like to do, but that gives us a reason to get out of bed every day,” said Adams.
Delicious, healthy meals from their farm-to-table fuel and reward their hard work.
“We eat better than many expensive restaurants. I listened to a classically trained chef on a podcast talk about working at Michelin five-star restaurants to explore why they were rated so highly,” Adams said. “The cooking techniques are the same everywhere. The top restaurants go out of their way to get the freshest ingredients. We eat like that almost every day.”
Their greatest victory is that every meal is almost entirely their own — a reward for their hard work and dedication. There’s joy in the simple pleasures of farm life, and their daily meals are at the top of the list.
You can enjoy a bit of five-star freshness with your meals, too. Jazzberry Farm products are available at Main Street’s First Saturday, where the freeze-dried items and plants are top sellers. You’ll always find them set up in front of Bagley & Bagley. They also collaborate with other local businesses, selling their products at Buckley Farm in Fayetteville and Wise Ant General Store & Bakery in Bryson.
The couple believes in the importance of supporting local producers.
“I’d rather spend my dollars with my neighbor than with a large multinational corporation,” Adams emphasized.
With every completed project comes new ideas, ensuring the farm is constantly evolving. The couple encourages others to try homesteading, even if it’s on a small scale.
“You can be like us and be tiny,” Adams said. “Even a few pots of herbs on the back porch can find success. I tell everyone to have a garden.”
They also emphasize the importance of buying locally. Local producers offer fresher, higher-quality food, and purchasing from them encourages a sense of community.
“Buy something from Buckley Farm, Pilaroc, Taylor Made, and other local producers,” Adams urged.
Jazzberry Farm is a melodious arrangement of hard work, dedication, and sustainable living. Like a well-rehearsed band, every element of the farm plays its part. Adams and Beebe’s lives harmonize their past experiences with their present goals, creating a specialized blend of self-sufficiency and a commitment to community. GN
