Hi Farm-ily!
Sweet Potato Gratin, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Caramelized Onion Pizza… there’s no shortage of winning combinations when it comes to cheese and veggies. This past week, we took the love affair to the next level with a visit to our friends at Locksley Estate Farmstead Cheese in Middleburg’s Ag District. Much like Willowsford, the Ag District is nestled in a historic farming area, and the proprietors are committed to honoring that agricultural tradition. Over the last twenty years, the district has evolved into a trio of unique artisan food makers: Chrysalis Vineyards, Little River Bakehouse, and Locksley Cheese.
The dairy team at Locksley carefully tends to the needs of their Swiss, Jersey, and Holstein cows with the same dedication to sustainability and animal welfare that we employ here at Willowsford. They rely on rotational grazing and homegrown forage. Those lucky bovines even get to snack on the remnants of the wine-making process at the adjoining vineyards! With all this love and attention, the Locksley cows and their keepers are hand-crafting thousands of pounds of delicious cheese each year. Cheesemaker Erin says that their holistic herd management even contributes to variations in the colors of the cheeses throughout the year: rich yellow in the summer and creamy pale gold in the fall as the cows’ diet evolves with the seasons.
It’s this context that forges the connection to our food that we cherish as CSA farmers. If you’re a cheese aficionado who hasn’t tried Locksley yet, we're certain you'll find one to love. Little John Cheddar is the perfect balance between creamy and sharp; Gouda-style Notthingham is as smooth as butter. If you’re looking for a more savory, pungent cheese, start with the aged Merry Men Manchego. All varieties take their memorable names from the folk tale of Robin Hood, a favorite of the Ag District’s founder. We’re proud to pack products like these into your share boxes, knowing that a little more shelf space for local food in your kitchen means both richer flavor and a stronger locavore community.
Eat Well and Be Well,
Ashley, Collin, John, Alexandra, and Finn the Farm Dog
