The Long Family has been farming in the Midway Community in Northern Davidson County for over 200 years. We are a North Carolina Department of Agriculture Century Farm Family. Like many older,small family-farms, our farming operation is very diverse. We raise livestock (beef cattle, hogs, chickens), forages for hay(rye, orchard, fescue, clover), and row crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, oats). Although for over 20 years, Flue-cured tobacco has been the farm's main cash crop. Due to several factors, the 2009 growing season will be the first time tobacco will not be seen in our fields as travelers pass by the farm.
The 2008 season brought quite a bit of change to our farm. We reduced the amount of tobacco we planted and began to shift our main farming enterprise from tobacco to direct, local crop sales. Our first venture was into the production of pasture-raised whole chicken. Our farm has always raised a small flock of chickens to provide eggs and meat for our family and friends. We felt that we could share this experience with others that wanted farm-fresh quality without owning a flock of their own. We sold quite a few dressed birds on the local farmer's markets during the 2008 season. One thing we noted from this experience was that we need to broaden our product offerings at market. For the 2009 season, we have planted a variety of fresh produce to offer alongside our pasture-raised poultry.
"Cool Branch Farms is named after the Cool Branch, a small stream that runs across the western edge of the 133 acre tract on which we live.
My great grandfather, John P. Long, bought this part of the farm not long after he came back from the war between the states. We still own 30 acres
of the original farm that has been passed down through the generations for over 200 years. In addition to the land in the Midway community, we also
farm rented and family land in the Arcadia Community."
—Michael A. Long
Eighth Generation Farmer
There are many lessons that farming teaches a person. One of these lessons is to become a good steward of the land and animals in your care. Although there are a few bad apples in the farming world today, just as any field, farmers quickly learn to be good stewards. Without the utmost care to your land and livestock, you will soon find yourself out of business. Family farms, like ours, must be good stewards to insure the existance of the farm for future generations.