When Philip Hillery graduated from Roanoke College, little did he expect that life’s twists and turns would one day bring him back to the area.

Hillery met his wife, Ginger, at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Life then offered missionary work in Japan, a stint as a jail chaplain and five children.

Seeking a simpler, more self-sufficient life, the Hillerys moved back to this area about five years ago, buying land in the Catawba Valley and creating “Full Circle Farm.”

Joining Botetourt Family Farmers, Ginger brought baked goods made from freshly-milled, non GMO wheat to the Boetourt Farmers’ Market.

Assisted by the children, she sold baguettes, milk and honey bread, pizza crusts, and chocolate brioches, as well as meat from their own livestock.

Daughter Rose even sold iced mint tea to thirsty vendors.

The baking process begins with son, Thomas, 16 years old, rising at 3 a.m. on Fridays to mill the 80-plus pounds of wheat, spelt, and rye that Ginger uses for her bread baking.

Even though he is not often seen at the market, Thomas is a very integral part of the operation.

All of the children have learned responsibility and life skills by participating in the market.


 

Full Circle Farm, here on Little Catawba Creek Rd will be offering goat kids for sale, for pets, meat, weed eaters, milkers. Also goat and cow shares for people interested in their own dairy products. Seasonal USDA inspected pastured pork products. Free range all natural eggs and pastured poultry. Seasonal produce grown by organic method. Freshly ground chemical-free whole wheat products, like pancake mix, brownie mix, pizza crusts, bread, pita bread, hamburger buns. Email for more info, price lists, etc. Also offer services such as cutting firewood, cutting grass.

We do not give hormones to our animals ever. We do not routinely administer antibiotics to our animals ever. If an animal is sick and antibiotics will save it's life, of course we will intervene, just as we would with our children. We feed our farm animals clean healthy food and minerals produced by local farmers and milled at Sunrise Farm, in Stuart's Draft and Countryside Natural, in Fishersville, Va. We do not put artificial fertilizers on our pastures nor do we use pesticides and herbicides. We rotate pastures so animals get good fresh grass on a regular basis, this helps prevent some parasite problems.

Farm work and school work keeps us busy, but we love visitors to come experience a taste of life on the farm. Please give us advance notice so we will make time to give you a tour and have a cup of coffee, or glass of nice cold homegrown milk!

992-5529