Sarah Southard, DVM

LOCALLY

Sourced Food Products

Locally owned veterinary practices are the epitome of small business–employing good folks who live in the community they serve and who are committed to their jobs as well as their locales. Food animal veterinarians have the unique experience of working daily with another quintessential small business: the family livestock farm. Livestock producers tend to know their animals, their neighbors, and their communities in a unique way. And they are committed day in and day out to all three.

Amid Main Street storefronts, locally owned businesses, mom and pop shops, and basement, garage, or outbuildingbased ventures lies a patchwork of raw ground, pastureland, and barns dotted with cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens. Pigs, turkeys, rabbits, and ducks blend in as well. Surry County was built on agriculture, and it continues to be much of the foundation and backbone of the area. Family operated small farms produce nutritious food products and wholesome entertainment opportunities daily. Add in endless learning opportunities and the family farm is a near perfect trifecta of possibility. Agritourism has become increasingly popular in recent years. And the supply chain issues which arose during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some weaknesses of largescale national and international production. It also brought to light some of the benefits of sourcing products, especially food, locally. Shopping with your neighbors for meat, eggs, and other food products means that your dollars stay local and your community is strengthened. If you’re wondering how to find area producers who offer the products you’re looking for, the Got to Be NC website (gottobenc.com) is a good place to start. It lists many farms throughout the county and state and is searchable by location and/or products and services you’re looking for. Another option is the Visit North Carolina Farms (visitncfarmstoday. com) app available for both Apple and Android smartphones. Many farms also have individual Facebook pages or websites to follow with up-to-date information about current product availability and activities. Of course talking with friends and neighbors may be the best source of information. As we plow ahead into the holiday season, some are planning meals and family get-togethers, while others are preparing gift lists and shopping plans. With Thanksgiving upon us and Christmas just around the bend, holiday feast preparations are on the minds of many. Consider sourcing your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham from your neighbor this year. Or stray from tradition a bit and grill some steaks or roast a leg of lamb. The possibilities for locally sourced protein for your holiday table are many. To borrow a line from an old American Lamb Board marketing campaign, products grown by your friends and neighbors are “thousands of miles fresher.”

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