Taste Test

by DAVID ROTEN

directory with exposure to buyers and media outlets and permission to use the Flavor of Georgia logo on their label. Merlon touted the connections made and valuable information received at the event. “It was an awesome experience,” she said.

The Harpers have already acted on the feedback received from the judges by redoing the label on their bottled tea.

“We just paid a design company to come up with a new design,” she said, “so we have a new label.” They expect the fresh look to increase sales and maybe even improve their chances of winning next year. “We’re going to apply again, of course,” she said.

“There’s just so much to learn,” Joe said. “You never learn it all, and it’s just a continuous thing to try to get better at it.”

“We had so many blueberries,” Merlon said. “We ate all we could and gave the rest away.” Their daughter, who had since moved back home with her husband and four young sons, was somewhat less than thrilled with the bounty.

“Keallah hated picking blueberries,” Merlon said, “so she said, ‘Mom, dad, why don’t we start a U-Pick blueberry farm?’ And we did.”

Since that pivotal moment in 2020, the Harpers have used a two-pronged approach to making their organic farm successful. “First, we started growing vegetables, and not just the usual vegetables,” Merlon said. “We also wanted to do unique vegetables like watermelon cucumber or white zucchini or lemon squash.” Then they tried to answer an intriguing question about their most abundant crop. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do with blueberries?’” she said. Joe began making blueberry muffins while she baked blueberry pies. “Then one day, I started experimenting with blueberries and iced tea,” Merlon said. “We blended two Georgia favorites and put them together with some special herbs and spices—and voila. People loved it.”

The Harpers do their best to balance farm and family, with a typical day starting with a breakfast-for-all, prepared by Joe and enriched by homegrown produce like spinach, onions, garlic, tomatoes and kale. The rest of the day unfolds according to plan, or as dictated by Mother Nature, with frequent assistance from the Old Farmer’s Almanac. When needed, the whole family pitches in to help with the chores. Even the grandchildren get into the act, with the oldest caring for the small flock of chickens and the younger ones hand-watering thirsty plants and each other.

“There’s always something to do—always,” Joe said. “And everything is timing,” Merlon added, “getting out there and getting things done on a timely basis to be successful.”

The to-do list is impressive: soil testing and amendment, tilling, seed starting, blueberry bush and tree planting, weed and pest control, irrigation, harvesting, administrative work and on it goes. In the past, the Harpers have taken their goods to farmer’s markets in Monroe and in Atlanta on a weekly basis during the summer and early fall. This year, they plan to market more from home, as online sales and on-site activities like Farm Tours and Family Farm Day continue to grow. On the scheduled Farm Tours, visitors are shuttled around the property on a golf cart, as they learn about the planting and growing process of blueberries and other in-season fruits and vegetables. They can pick and sample a variety of produce and blueberry treats. Family Farm Day is usually offered twice a year, once in the summer and once in the fall. “Everybody is invited,” Merlon said. The event is designed to be educational and fun. “We may have a bounce house. Visitors can pet the chickens and try lots of products,” she said. “We may even invite other vendors to bring their products.”

The Harpers are purposefully growing their farm by taking advantage of every resource available through educational opportunities such as classes at the University of Georgia, conferences and seminars. They have also received support and helpful information through networking with other farmers and organizations like Georgia Organics and Community Farmers Market. Their efforts have earned them the right to be called organic as members of Certified Naturally Grown.

Future plans include maximizing space on the farm to accommodate more blueberry bushes and leasing two acres of land to plant even more. Lumber lies on the driveway in anticipation of additional improvements, including a store from which produce may be purchased, a kitchen and a covered demonstration and teaching area.

Life on the farm has many benefits but one stands out above the others, according to Merlon. “Being on the farm with our children and grandchildren has been the most rewarding thing,” she said, “teaching them about growing food and where food is coming from.”

Joe describes his wife’s approach to farming as “focused and driven,” at times to a fault. She concedes her husband keeps her “balanced and level.”

“I think nature’s in control,” Joe said. “She thinks she’s in control.” Husband and wife then shared a laugh together. “I have a way of combatting nature,” Merlon said. “If nature’s going to give us this, this is what we have to do. You have to work with what you have, what you’re given, and make the most of that.”

For more on Deer Creek Farm, visit www.thedeercreekfarm.com.