Harbison Extends a Helping Hand to the Community

Harbison Cattle and Produce is a 7,000-acre family-run farm that has been in the family since the early 1700s. They sell food from seed to customer. Owner Troy Harbison says, “When we grow it, there’s no middleman.” They also sell their own grass-fed and grain-fed farm-grown cattle; quarter halves and whole beef sides using no hormones or GMOs. They offer Amish cheese, butter, bacon, salami, baloney, summer sausage, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and have their own chickens/eggs, but also supplement eggs from other farms.

They have been in business as an open farm market for 26 years. When the COVID-19 crisis hit, Harbison immediately offered the farm as an option for displaced sellers and vendors that lost their spots at other events and open markets, giving them free booth space anytime they needed it.

When he noticed that some customers were short on money to buy fresh food, he set up a relief and assistance fund with donations from the public, matching them with money from Harbison Farms Cattle & Produce. He prefers people to have a recommendation for assistance from an organization. The farm is in need of cash donations to support the food assistance fund.

“We have a lot of new ones [customers] now, of course, with everything that’s going on,” says Harbison. Due to the current situation, the farm offers free curbside pickup. Customers can check Facebook for available items and pricing, then text Harbison with their grocery list, drive up to the produce shed, text to notify him of their arrival and someone will bring out the items.

Those 65 and older get free delivery with a 6 percent convenience fee; under 65 incurs a charge of $1.25 per mile after 10 miles plus a 6 percent convenience fee. Harbison watches for food hoarders and does not allow bulk buying.

Harbison Farm Cattle & Produce is located at 4696 NE County Rd. 329, in Anthony. For more information, call 352-239-3552, email gvtharbison@embarqmail.com or visit Tinyurl.com/HarbisonFarm.