A Love of Land, Nature, and Agriculture

On a farm located just seven miles outside of downtown Watkinville, Dory Franklin and husband Miguel Cabrera raise sheep along with friend Constance Neely.

They send 4-6-month-old lambs --free of hormones and antibiotics-- for meat processing, use sheep's milk to make soaps, and turn wool into yarn and blankets.

In addition to raising the livestock, the farmers grow plums, blackberries, and Shittake mushrooms.

Hallowed Hawk Farms originated in 1999 out of a love of land, nature, and agriculture, Franklin said. The family always wanted to live in the the country, and when their eldest daughter, Patricia, raised her first sheep, Thespi, in the 4-H program, it was the push they needed, she said.

The farm that began 12 years ago with five sheep currently has 30 ewes, two rams, and 28 lambs roaming the pastures.

"I've always believed in locally grown in order to be sustainable; you've got to be able to feed yourself and shouldn't have to drive to do it," Franklin said. "We want people to appreciate agriculture.  No farms mean no food."

Those beliefs are why Hallowed Hawk Farms has had a booth every week at the since the market began seven years ago.

To Franklin, one of the greatest rewards of being a vendor is watching young people taste a freshly-picked, ripe plum for the first time.

"It's so different than [what they find at] the grocery store," she said, "you see it in their faces when the flavor bursts in their mouths."

As for how the farmers market has changed over time, "we like that we start earlier and [go] longer," Franklin said. "It brings the community together and everybody's so friendly."

The husband and wife team were busy Thursday afternoon making 9-ounce jars of Methley plum jam, a customer favorite.

Along with the jam, this week at Hallowed Hawk Farms' booth, farmers market patrons can find sheep's milk soap in varieties such as Oatmeal-Lavender, blackberries, and a few cuts of lamb (more lamb will be available in July).  There will also be wool blankets and yarn for sale, as long as the rain holds out.

Here is a list of items other vendors will have at the Oconee Farmers Market this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the back lawn of :

• Yellow squash
• Pattypan squash
• Zucchini
• Beans
• Cucumbers
• Greens
• Potatoes
• Garlic
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Fresh herbs
• Milk
• Plain and flavored yogurt
• and Angus cross beef
• Strawberry jam
• Wildflower honey
• Cut flowers
• (blueberry, buttermilk, and many more)
• Lip balms
• Decorated gourds
• Gourd instruments
• Jewelry from recycled items
• Boiled and fried peanuts
• Pork skins
• Beef jerky
• Pickles on a stick