Texas Family Farms Continue to Sprout Success
Family farms in Tyler, Texas, have a far-reaching legacy. The present-day caretakers of the region’s agricultural plots have worked hard to maintain family tradition while spreading the wealth in their community. From high-quality wine to Christmas trees, tulips and berries, the bounty grown on these farms can be found throughout Tyler in restaurants, grocery stores and churches alike.
This article first appeared on Livability.com.
Great Grapes and Sizzling Steaks
Kiepersol’s unique legacy began in 1998 when founder Pierre de Wet moved from South Africa to start a vineyard in Tyler. Today, de Wet’s daughters, Marnelle and Velmay, run the vineyard alongside a restaurant located on the property. At the Kiepersol steakhouse, the rustic atmosphere combines with a quality menu featuring Kiepersol’s own estate-grown wines.
“I don’t think it can get more farm-to-table than Kiepersol where the wine is concerned,” says Kelly Doherty, director of branding and marketing for Kiepersol.
Kiepersol grapes thrive across 63 acres of Tyler soil. The wines, aged in the vineyard’s barrel room, then go out to restaurants and grocers across Tyler. The vineyard also has a tasting room where the wines can be experienced on the rolling countryside in which they are produced. Locals and visitors can tour the vineyard and distillery to get a firsthand experience of the winemaking process.
“Tyler has a great local community that is very supportive of family-run businesses and has cheered us on from the beginning,” Doherty says.
Strong Sense of Community
When Marshal and Addie Wiggins first started growing their own produce on land owned by Marshal’s grandparents, they didn’t envision that their farm would soon begin to draw visitors from all over Texas.
“We wanted to be able to provide our own food for our family and just eat better and healthier,” says Addie Wiggins, who owns the farm with her husband, Marshal.
Tyler Berry Farm specializes in you-pick strawberries and blueberries, with a crop of sunflowers that blooms throughout the summer. During the warm-weather months, local families can frequently be seen picking berries on you-pick days, while the spectacle of sunflowers at golden hour often draws visitors from as far as Dallas.
“The community thankfully comes out here, which we’re so blessed for,” Addie says.
Tyler Berry Farm also sells its products at local markets like the Bluebird Farmstand, a year-round outlet that provides fresh local produce to customers while supporting Tyler farmers.
See more: Texas Family Farms Are Thriving for Multiple Generations
Deep Family Connections
Right next door to Tyler Berry Farm is Plantation Pines. The two farms are connected by more than just proximity; Marshal’s sister, Heather Reed, now runs the Christmas tree farm that originally belonged to their parents. When Reed’s parents decided to give up the farm, she took over along with her husband, Burren.
“The great community is the main reason saying goodbye to the farm wasn’t an option for me,” Reed says.
Along with Christmas trees, Plantation Pines also specializes in tulips that add a burst of color to their farm and decorate local churches. Fall on the farm consists of pumpkin picking and hayrides, along with seasonal you-pick items.
Both Plantation Pines and Tyler Berry Farm are enabling a new generation to grow up on their land, allowing their children the opportunity to experience farm life in a safe, close-knit environment. For Reed, the opportunity to continue the legacy of her family’s farm means giving back to the community as well.
“Our vision for the farm is to be a place families can come and enjoy creation together, to take a break from the busyness and to make lasting memories,” Reed says.