To learn more about our producers, their practices, and their dedication to local food the Coppell Farmers Market Committee visits their operations. Since the market’s conception in 2003, these visits have helped us build community with our farmers, and just as importantly, they’ve allowed us teach farmers market shoppers about the source of their food.
This month we’ve visited Dead End Farm, the Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese shop, and Hidden Valley Creamery.
D E A D E N D F A R M
Dead End Family Farm is located on 850 acres in Montague County. Sammy and Robbie Mitchell’s farm has been in the family since 1889 and they are sixth generation farmers. Their land is far from town, nestled in peaceful and picturesque rolling hills. Every piece of the property has a story.
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- Farmer Sammy Mitchell (left) with CFM committee member Pat Lambert (right).
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- Straightneck Yellow Squash
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- This summer Deadend Farm is growing squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, okra and sweet peppers.
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- The trusty tractor with tiller attached.
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- Old Pecan Orchard signs circa 1950’s.
E A G L E M O U N T A I N F A R M H O U S E C H E E S E
Dave Eagle, owner, is a cheese enthusiast and retired attorney. Dave and his employees hand make traditional, artisan cheese in small batches. You can find their cheese at our market, Central Market, and in many fine restaurants throughout Texas. Dave plans to open a wood-fire pizzeria next door- he’s helping to put Lipan on the map as a special weekend getaway destination.
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- Storefront located in charming Lipan, TX.
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- Dutch vat and press in the cheese making room. 700 lbs of cheese produced each week!
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- Owner Dave Eagle has an impressive collection of cheese artifacts in the tasting room.
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- Raw milk is sourced from Sandy Creek Dairy, Bridgeport, TX. Seen here are Brown Swiss Cows and the dairy’s owners.
H I D D E N V A L L E Y C R E A M E R Y
Husband and wife duo Trey and Judy Thurston operate this Grade-A family dairy located in Argyle, TX. They produce yogurt smoothies, popsicles, and caramel sauce. The property is beautiful- complete with kittens, livestock guard dogs, matching red out buildings, and lots of goats. The milking parlor and yogurt making rooms are pristine and shiny. Its obvious that this family works hard to bring good food to the community!
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- These goats live beneath a beautiful tree canopy. At the edge of the tree line the land slopes into a hidden valley.
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- Daughter Ashley assists with milking each morning and evening.
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- Waiting for the milking parlor door to open.
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- The goats file in and Judy sanitizes teats before hooking on the milking machine. Milking is a twice daily production.
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- Just under 20 goats are in the milking rotation. That’s just about half of the herd.
