Bakery & Farm Market Open March 4, 2023!

The Farm is closed for the season.   The Bakery & Farm Market open weekends starting March 4, 2023.  Get your Fan Season Pass Today so you don’t miss a minute of Family Fun on the Farm!

Sunflower Joy shines in the face of a young girl holding a cut your own sunflower at Great Country Farms

Buy your 2023 Season Pass Today!

What’s Ripe and Ready for Picking?

Sign up for free U-Pick Alerts! You'll always be the first to know what's ripe and ready for picking at Great Country Farms.

Thanks for signing up!

By submitting this form, you are granting: Great Country Farms permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.
Close

Great Country Farms

Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, Produce Farm, U-Pick, Field Trips in Loudoun County, VA

Farm Market & Play Area

Open Saturdays & Sundays in March 2023

10am-5pm

Buy a Fan Season Pass Today!

2023 Tix Coming Soon!

Get Pick your Own Alerts

  • Home
    • About
    • Attractions
    • Peck of Dirt Foundation
    • Blog
      • 5 Steps for Peach Picking Perfection
      • Apple Pressing Then vs. Now
  • Festivals
    • Raising Chicks with Great Country Farms’ Spring Chick Program
    • Easter Egg Hunt
    • Strawberry Jubilee Fest
    • Father’s Day Fish-a-Rama
    • Teacher Appreciation Week
    • Summer of Sunflowers
    • Pick your Own Blackberry Bonanza
    • Peach Fuzztival
    • The Big Dig Potato Harvest
    • Corn Maze & Apple Harvest
    • First Responders Week~ Sept 5-11
    • Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival
    • Pumpkin Chunkin’
    • Santa Jingle and Mingle at Great Country Farms
  • UPick
    • Pick your own: Now Picking…
    • Crops By Season
    • U-Pick Tips and FAQs
  • EATs
    • Henway Cider
  • Market
  • Fan Season Pass
    • Fan of the Farm Season Pass
    • Fan of the Farm Season Pass ~ Frequently Asked Questions
    • Fan of the Farm Season Pass – Agreement
  • Groups
    • Picnic Venues
    • Evening Farm Party
    • Barn Wedding Venue
  • Field Trips
    • School Field Trips
    • Strawberry Tour
    • Gem Mining Tour
    • Garden Tour
    • Apple Tour
    • Pumpkin- Fall Tour
  • Stay
  • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Farmhand Central
    • Donations

OmMade Peanut Butter~We’re nuts about it!

August 23, 2021 by Kate Zurschmeide

It’s Market Monday and we are nuts about it!  Peanut Butter is an essential for many families for school lunches and back to work.  This week’s feature is one of our favorites!

We are always amazed at the stories that business owners share about the passion and love for their products. Radhika Murari, founder of OmMade Peanut Butter, was a motivated mother eager to find a better way to fuel her son’s sports lifestyle diet. Unable to find a healthy option that also matched her son’s preferences, she began creating peanut butter recipes at home. At a fundraiser one day, someone told her how amazing her peanut butter was. Eventually, Radhika began selling her product at the local farmer’s market in Fairfax, Virginia and now she is featured on platforms like The Today Show, NBC, Food & Wine, and many more. Her story is a truly inspiring one and proof that nothing can stop a determined mother!

Why do we love them?

It’s no secret that there are a lot of processed foods in the United States. As farmers, we are passionate about choosing products to sell in our market that uphold the importance of natural food and are created without all of the extra “add ins”. The problem with most peanut butters sold in stores today is that they contain added oils, conventional flavoring, and added sugars. OmMade is created by using Virginia peanuts that are roasted and salted. There are no added oils. Another great thing about OmMade is that all of their unique flavors are gluten free and vegan. Did you know that using peanuts even  helps the environment? Now that is something we are excited to support!

 

How to indulge and enjoy:

OmMade has a delicious collection of tried and true recipes. Here are a few that we are excited to try! Pro Tip: It is almost apple picking season at Great Country Farms, pair this peanut butter with farm fresh apples for the perfect fall snack. 

OmMade Vibrant Turmeric Peanut Butter Dip: The perfect dip for your farm fresh fruits and veggies.

OmMade Hors D’oeuvres: A quick and easy late night snack to pair with your favorite Bluemont Vineyard wine.

OmMade Vibrant Turmeric Peanut Butter Dip: The perfect dip for your farm fresh fruits and veggies.

OmMade Peanut Butter “Lilypad” Shake: The best way to fuel up before chasing your kids around the play area at GCF.

 

But wait, where can I get my hands on OmMade?

OmMade Peanut Butter “Lilypad” Shake: The best way to fuel up before chasing your kids around the play area at GCF.

We are proud to sell OmMade in the market at Great Country Farms. OmMade is also sold at Whole Foods Markets in the local DMV area. To find OmMade near you, check out their website. They ship to 48 states in the United States!  Show the love by following them on social media to stay up to date on their latest happenings.

Instagram: @OMmadePB

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Pickling Time~ It’s Kind of a Big Dill!

August 17, 2021 by Kate Zurschmeide

Fresh tomatoes, beets, zucchini and cantaloupe grace the shelves in the Farm Market at Great Country FarmsIt’s Market Monday and as the end of summer arrives, now is the time to preserve some of the bounty of this peak harvest time to savor all winter long.  We are excited to have okra, green beans, onions, beets and more available in our Farm Market. We are pleased to introduce you to our latest line of pickling support products from Pearl and Johnny to help you attain pickling perfection and “Think Outside the Cucumber.”  

Who are Pearl and Johnny?

Pickling perfection cucumber on a fork with Johnny and Pearl pickling spice boxes and jars on display in the Farm Market at Great Country FarmsPearl and Johnny is a small, family-owned company located in the Missouri Ozarks. Inspired by their grandmother’s cellar shelves after a good harvest at their family farm, they decided to continue on the art of preserving, pickling, and admiring that real food is beautiful. It’s no secret that today’s lifestyle is a lot different than the past. Everything seems to be high speed, digital, and processed. At Pearl and Johnny, they understand this and so they’ve created a healthy, fun, and simple way to bring out the natural flavors in produce without the extra added mystery ingredients found in stores.

This sounds great, but is it realistic for me?

Pickling perfection cucumber on a fork with Johnny and Pearl pickling spice box in the backgroundDo you wish you had time to make your own pickles? Well, you do! When you use a pickle kit from Pearl and Johnny, you can make your own pickles in just 10 minutes. Each of their pickle kits come with a reusable jar and seasoning packet. The steps are quite simple and can be a great activity for the whole family to get involved. By using only organic and non-GMO ingredients, Pearl and Johnny make pickling fun, easy, and dill-icious!

                                                                                     How it works:

  1. Fill a clean jar with veggies. 
  2. Combine seasoning packet with 1/2 cup vinegar and 3/4 cup water.
  3. Bring water to a boil and pour seasoning over veggies in the jar. 
  4. Cap jar with lid and ring. Cool. Refrigerate. Enjoy!

*Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.*

 

Why do we love them?

Pickling perfection cucumber on a fork with Johnny and Pearl pickling spice boxes Pearl and Johnny is a company that supports family, nature, and keeping things simple. Their company brings light to the idea that homemade doesn’t have to be complex and time consuming. On their website, they state “Most people’s reaction to pickling is that it looks way too hard, too time consuming, too confusing, and requires a bunch of equipment. Plus it seems like all of the recipes and products out there make huge batches! For us, the most shocking discovery we made in our journey to finding the perfect pickle was that none of the “dill” pickles at the store actually had dill in their ingredients.” Pearl and Johnny transport their customers to a simpler time by “keeping the memory of a slower time alive, without slowing down at all”. If you’re interested in pickling and learning simple recipes to pair with your pickles, check out their blog here!

 

How can I try their pickling kit?

Pickling perfection cucumber on a fork with Johnny and Pearl pickling spice boxes and jars on display in the Farm Market at Great Country Farms At Great Country Farms, we are inspired by the story of Pearl and Johnny and are proud to feature their products for sale in our farm market. If you aren’t local to us, be sure to check out the store locator to find a location near you! You can relish in more fun by giving them a follow on their social channels or sign up for their newsletter to get the lates Be sure to share your experiences pickling and tag them for a chance to be featured on their Instagram!

Filed Under: Eat, Local Farming

Perfectly Crafted Mad Magic

August 9, 2021 by Kate Zurschmeide

Wait…what is Kombucha and can it be Mad Magic?

Mad Magic kombucha in a market basket at Great Country FarmsHave you heard the buzz over kombucha? People all around the world are taking note and trying these drinks, but their benefits were first discovered many years ago. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is full of amazing health benefits. Kombucha contains probiotics which promote gut health. The word probiotic means “promoting life” and kombucha does exactly that! When your gut health is boosted, the rest of your body benefits as well. Recent studies have shown a strong connection between gut health and overall well-being. Kombucha also contains antioxidants which have been shown to help the body fight certain diseases and help cleanse the body of toxins. Another great benefit to kombucha is that it is delicious and refreshing to drink! To learn more about Kombucha and why it is good for you, check out the FAQ  on Mad Magic’s site.

Why do we love Mad Magic?

All the flavors of Mad Magic Ginger Lemon Kombucha displayed on a circle in the grass in the farm Market at Great Country FarmsDrinking kombucha is becoming a popular go-to for people all over the world, so why did we choose Mad Magic for our farm market? One thing that caught our attention about Mad Magic is that its “SCOBY” which stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria yeast (what gives kombucha life) is brewed in an organic environment and only once to create a strong brewed taste. This means, no artificial flavorings or ingredients and no added sugar. Their kombucha is hand brewed in Northern VA to ensure the highest quality drink possible. Mad Magic claims, this is why you’ll be drinking “ purely magic” and we agree!

 

What are their different flavors?

Mad Magic brews a total of over 15 flavors of kombucha and we proudly sell 7 of the most popular ones in the Great Country Farms market. For a new kombucha fan, this can feel overwhelming. We found this fun personalized quiz on their site to help you narrow down the choices and find the flavor that fits your personality and taste. Mad Magic also created a page to help describe each of their delicious fermented flavors.All the flavors of Mad Magic Ginger Lemon Kombucha displayed on the side of a wine barrel in in the farm Market at Great Country Farms

How can I try their products?

We are proud to offer a selection of Mad Magic in our farm market so you can pick some up on your next visit and lucky for us, Mad Magic is locally distributed! They also share their products at Farmers markets, local breweries like Vanish Brewery in Leesburg and House 6 Brewing located in Ashburn and several other pop up locations all around Northern Virginia. One of the most exciting things about Mad Magic is that they also have a tasting room, a one stop shop for all of your kombucha desires, now that’s magic!

Contact:

Website:https://www.madmagickombucha.com/ 

Phone: 540-364-2639

IG: @Madmagickombucha

Tasting Room Hours: Monday-Friday 11AM-5PM, Saturday 1PM-5PM

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Village Cheeseworks Making Local Cheese Work!

July 26, 2021 by Kate Zurschmeide

If you’re planning your next outing to Bluemont, leave room for cheese! We are excited to  feature Loudoun’s newest  local, natural, (and delicious) cheese from Village Cheesworks in our Farm Market and at Henway Hard Cider on their local menu.  Their products are a perfect compliment to your favorite summer beverage on the porch, charcuterie board for a night in, or grilled cheese dinner for the kids. 

 

Why do we love them?

When Eric Hilgartener walked into our Farm Market this spring with a small cooler and a cutting board, we were blown away by his passion and energy for the newly formed Village Cheeseworks.  We have known this Loudoun Family for years as Eric’s dad used to coach our boys in wrestling and Eric was an amazing wrestler at Loudoun Valley in his day. Now that discipline and energy is focused on making fine cheese and actively engaged in supporting and preserving family farms. Their attitude is that it “takes a village,” and we couldn’t agree more! All of their milk comes from the last Loudoun Dairy Family Farm, Potts Dairy, outside of Purcellville.  The dairy has been in operation for 5 generations and produces some of the highest quality milk for cheesemaking (think butterfat) found on the east coast.   

Another way that this cheese is uniquely local is that the Blue Cheese, aptly named, Bluemont,  is washed with our own cider from Henway Hard Cider Company. This washing process keeps the blue marbling inside the cheese rind rather and is a natural approach to creating this blue cheese rather than using a chemical wash.   

What are the different cheese varieties?

Bluemont

The Bluemont is tried and true to its name! This blue cheese pairs well with red or sparkling wine. It also pairs well with dried fruits, pears, figs, and whole grain crackers. When it comes to meat, this flavor tastes best with beef, especially steak. Uniquely cider washed with our own Henway Hard Cider.

 

Round Hill Cheese from Village Cheeseworks pictured with fresh cherries from Great Country Farm Round Hill

The Round Hill is a beautiful example of the Brie/Camembert style of cheeses. It makes a great compliment to farm fresh plums or sweet jams and crackers. When choosing food with this cheese, think of a rich brie style flavoring.

 

Zulla Zulla Cheese from Village Cheese works pictured in the Great Country Farms Market with fresh peaches and jams and jellies.

The Zulla is a French Muenster inspired washed rind cheese with a little bit of complex ripening for the real cheese lovers. Due to its slightly salty nature, Zulla is great on sandwiches and has excellent melting properties. This cheese is rich and designed for the true connoisseur. 

 

How can I try their products ?

At Great Country Farms, we carry Village Cheeseworks in our farm market for purchase. Village Cheeseworks strives to create strong relationships with the local community by offering their products at local farmer’s markets and events. They are passionate about making their products available to customers in the area. To find out more about where to try their cheese, give them a follow on Instagram!

 

Instagram: @villagecheeseworks

Filed Under: Uncategorized

5 Steps for Peach Picking Perfection

July 14, 2021 by Kate Zurschmeide

Peach Picking Perfection

Ripe peaches on the trees in the orchards at Great Country farms.We’re starting to feel the heat this summer which means one thing- it’s finally peach season at Great Country Farms! Our peach trees are loaded with some of the biggest, juiciest peaches we’ve seen in years at the farm. We want our guests to have the best peach picking experience, so we sat down with Orchard Manager, Andrew Taylor, to get the inside scoop on all things peach as we approach our Peach Fuzztival Weekend July 31- August 1, 7 & 8! 

 

5 Steps to Picking the Perfect Peach

 

  1. Determine the plan for your peaches.

Peaches can be used in a variety of different ways! Determining your plan for the peaches you pick before you pick them will help you decide how ripe you’ll need them to be. If you plan on enjoying them as soon as you leave the parking lot, you will want to search for a riper, softer, peach. If you’d like to use your peaches further in the future choosing a firmer peach will be a better option for you.

2. Choose your variety.

Once you arrive in the orchards, decide which peaches you’d like to try. Will you pick both white and yellow or will you only stick to one variety? We’ve got the rest covered! Simply check in with a GCF employee and they will be happy to help guide you!

  • Yellow vs. White Peaches

At Great Country Farms, we are proud to grow 20 different varieties of peaches. It’s almost hard to believe that there are so many different peaches out there!  It might seem overwhelming, When you are picking your perfect peaches, you will see that there are both white and yellow peaches to choose from. People have preferences on which they think could be sweeter based on their palette, but the sweetness is actually more determined by how long they hang on the tree. We agree that both are equally delicious.

  • Donut Peaches

If you have little ones in your picking crew or are looking for a less messy peach, a donut peach may be the way to go! Donut peaches are small in size, sweet, and they make an easy, healthy snack! Donut peaches are great for the whole family to enjoy because of their small size and sweet taste. These peaches will be available for u-pick in the coming weeks. Be sure to sign up for our U-pick alerts on our website and to follow it on social media to be notified when these delicious treats are available for picking.

3. Give the perfect twist & pull.

Child picking peaches at Great Country FarmsOnce you’ve spotted the perfect peach (yay!), gently grab it and pull down, removing it from the tree. Keep it safe in a bag or box from home or provided to you at the U-pick station. Now that you’ve got the hang of it, have fun and pick as many as your heart desires!

4. Store gently to prevent bruising.

We recommend picking peaches toward the end of your visit to avoid adding extra weight to your farm visit if you plan on roaming the play area and visiting our adorable animals. On a hot summer day, it is best to avoid leaving them in your car for a prolonged period of time. 

5. Take home and enjoy!

If you can resist eating them all on your drive home, peaches are best stored at room temperature on your counter top until they reach your desired ripeness. If you are looking to keep your peaches longer, you may want to learn how to can or freeze them for later use. If you can’t make it to our orchards this year, visit our farm market from 9AM-5PM daily to purchase fresh picked peaches at your convenience. You don’t want to miss this harvest!

 

Bonus Tip:  Plan your visit for extra family for on the farm and mark your calendar for our Peach Fuzztival (July 31-August 1,7 & 8, 2021). It’s going to be peachy! 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 23
  • Next Page »

Farm Market & Bakery Open March 4, 2023!

Come buy Donuts, coffee, honey and more!

Get Unlimited Farm Admission with a 2023 Season Pass

Join us for our 30th Anniversary season with a FAN of the Farm Season Pass and your immediate family can come pick & play as often as you like!

I want Unlimited Family Admission!

Sign up for FREE U-Pick alerts

Latest from the Farm Blog

Pumpkin Chunkin’, A Smashing Good Time

Apple Pressing Then vs. Now

Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the ‘Oinkin’tucky Derby Races at Great Country Farms

Our Top 3 Chocolate and Wine Pairings

Market Monday: Things Are Feeling a Little Nutty

Connect With Us

Follow us on Social Media and stay up-to-date with all the wonderful happenings and fun events at our farm!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

© Copyright 2021 Great Country Farms - All Rights Reserved
18780 Foggy Bottom Road Bluemont, Virginia 20135
540-554-2073

Small Business Websites by 5.12 Design Lab · Admin

▲