GUEST BLOG: Discover Hollydew Farm at Brazos Valley Farmers' Market

On Saturday mornings in Downtown Bryan, the community lines up to forage at the Brazos Valley Farmers' Market. I love exploring local markets when traveling to a new destination. What better way to discover what makes a place unique?

I was browsing the market for that one-of-a-kind Christmas gift on this chilly November morning. I enjoyed the selection of vibrant woodcrafts at Corner Tang. However, the charming handmade pottery with bright cardinals at KW Pinecone Pottery was the winner.

As I was checking out the fresh veggies and homemade baked goods, I spotted a sign for rabbit meat. Naturally, I was intrigued because rabbit meat is something you rarely see in the United States. Fortunately, Karen and Darren Carter from Hollydew Farm were more than happy to educate me.

It turns out that rabbit meat was once a popular protein before the mass marketing of other white meats. However, rabbits have an ideal ratio of healthy Omega acids. In addition, rabbit meat has 136 calories per serving. I'm told they're tasty too. As a result, this lean meat is growing in popularity for those wanting a healthier diet.

Hollydew Farm breeds Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) rabbits because they are tolerant to heat. That gives them an advantage in those infamous Texas hot summers. The Carters grow, breed, and process approximately 350 rabbits annually on their farm.

The Carters began their homestead farm nine years ago. The fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals feed their family. They also operate a zero-waste farm, and the rabbits are part of that ecosystem. Rabbits have an excellent meat-to-bone ratio, generating six pounds of meat for the same effort to produce one pound of beef. In addition, rabbits eat more efficiently and produce less waste than cattle.

Since the rabbits raised on the farm are sold directly to the consumer, there is an overall reduction in transportation emissions. Darren says their approach to sustainability is "the way things used to be done."

Hollydew Farm looks forward to its fourth year at the Brazos Valley Farmers Market. In addition to rabbit meat, they sell duck eggs, pickles, salsas, and seasoning packets. During the Thanksgiving season, they also sell fresh turkeys.

Karen notes their homemade, small-batch jams are best sellers too. According to her, their jams are low in sugar as they contain two times more fruit. They also have a diverse range of vegan artisan soaps and syrups. The blackberry syrup tempted me.

The Carters believe it's important to know your local farmer and food source. It's also personal for them. Karen and Darren started growing their food to address their son's skin allergies. They discovered that avoiding preservatives and additives improved their son's well-being.

Hollydew Farm also invites campers interested in boondocking to stay at the farm via Hipcamp or Harvest Hosts. The Carters say you can buy all the produce, and protein needed while enjoying the farm's environment. In addition, they noted that you might find a turkey wandering around your campground.

I feel fortunate to have spent time with them. Their knowledge and generosity speak volumes about authentic Bryan, and I look forward to tasting Rabbit Tacos using the recipes on the Hollydew Farm website.