Let's Go to the Farm - Terk's Acres!
Post Date: March 2, 2010
Our trip to Terks’ Acres fell on the first warm day of the year, foretelling the new life beginning at this time of year and making our outing especially enjoyable. Honeybees were out of their hives foraging, chicks were hatching out of their eggs, and baby goats were kicking up their heels.
We had a large group come out, including several children—for some it was their first trip to a farm. The billy goats excitedly ran to meet us when we arrived. Our hostess, Sharon TerKeurst, graciously showed us around the various milking pens and yards, and the chicken coop, too of course. Everyone liked being in with the goats and seeing how friendly they are. Once they start being milked, they become accustomed to human handling. Then the truly sweet nature of dairy goats can be seen. Before that, they are a little skittish. They were a lot of fun to pet and observe with their little kids. The young people especially liked holding a baby goat. You should have seen their faces.
After the goats got tired of us, Sharon put out a delicious spread of quiche, made from her chickens’ eggs, several of her famous cheeses to sample, and some whey to try, along with lemonade made with lemons from her tree. Fruit salad, veggies and chocolate brownies rounded out the feast. She also had goat milk to sample—many folks had never tried it before. They all came away converts. We bought every bit of goat cheese, milk and farm fresh eggs that she and her animals had available.
Now we will all be coming back for more. Thank you, Sharon and Dudley TerKeurst, for your hospitality, for taking such good care of your goats, and for providing our community with such wonderful and healthful dairy products.
If you would like to purchase some goat milk and cheese for yourself, Sharon can be found at the Old City Farmers’ Market, held every Saturday from 8:30a to 12:30p. You can reach her at 904.824.4871. More information is available at www.terksacres.com. But be careful—you could become hooked for life!