Our two hard-working founders Paul and Rita Ankrom have been married for 32 years. The love of farming has been in their blood since day one. Paul was raised on a farm in southeastern Ohio and Rita was raised on a farm in western Pennsylvania. Together they moved to Bessemer City North Carolina in 2008.

Paul, a truck driver by trade but a farmer by birth, decided to start raising a few animals in 2014. He initially started out with some chickens and two adorable baby calves. In 2016 they started selling eggs and a little produce from the garden at the Farmers Market in Charlotte, North Carolina. Later that same winter they added beef to the menu.

Here we are over five years later, and they have expanded once again with pork sausage products, duck eggs and a variety of cheeses from Ashe County, North Carolina. (Rita’s favorite is the garlic & herb spread.) They take great pride in the animals they raise for the market; all beef is two years old or younger, ensuring that it’s tender and tasty. They only use the best processors for their beef and pork, and Paul is very selective in who they work with.

With nearly 80 chickens of different breeds, they have a unique mix brown, white and blue or green eggs. This colorful dozen has quickly become extremely popular at the market, and many regulars stop by for their weekly eggs. Get there early, they’re known to sell out!

Working at the market started as a hobby allowing Paul and Rita to both follow their passions and get to know the community but has turned into a full time job they truly love. Even when the cow gets out.