Got to be NC Beef Hearty Chili - Summerfield Farms Farm Tour

This is a sponsored post on behalf of the North Carolina Department

of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I was compensated and received

delicious beef in exchange for sharing my experience at Summerfield Farms

But really, I woulda done it for free! Before we chit-chat about the awesomeness of

grass-fed Beef and the ah-mazing team at Summerfield Farms, I want to thank

my blog-buddy, Jenni Field for inviting me to participate in this campaign and for

all she did to keep me and my fellow bloggers mooooooving in the right direction!

Let me tell you... Summerfield Farms is a treasure that is located practically

in my own backyard. Not only does Summerfield Farms produce top-quality

grass-fed beef, they have successfully monetized this working farm so that it has

become the go-to spot for surrounding communities hungry for locally grown

and produced food as well as agra-social events. It is the opinion of this blogger

and recent guest of Summerfield Farms that owner David Couch and his team

have nailed the concept of farm-to-fork in a very unique and comprehensive way!

Meet Sky... She and Daniel Johnson, Farm Facilities and Operations

Manager at Summerfield Farms were my hosts for this farm tour!

Although he's been at Summerfield Farms less than a year, Daniel spoke

about the animals, this land and their facilities as if he had been born there...

In fact, Daniel is a native of coastal North Carolina; born and raised in

Elizabeth City, he received his bachelor's degree from Western Carolina and

earned his Master's in Sustainable Tourism at Eastern Carolina University. He

told me Summerfield Farms is 660 acres with 120 acres currently reserved

for grazing. Daniel explained the science behind and, the seriousness with which Summerfield Farms approaches the health of not only their herd but also the

pastureland and organic gardens, which produce nutrient-dense food sold to area

restaurants and a community following that is loyal to SF's on-site Market!

I know grass-fed beef is often said to be less tender and more gamey

tasting; however, that's not the case with the grass-fed beef produced at

Summerfield Farms. While other producers supplement the diet of their

cattle with grain or other non-grass product during the finishing stage,

the steers at Summerfield Farms are 100% grass-fed. Also, Summerfield

Farms doesn't rush its beef. While other producers rush their animals to

slaughter, Summerfield Farms is content keeping their herd grazing to

1,200 pounds and not an ounce less. Daniel said it and I whole-heartedly

agree; the way animals are treated, the level of stress endured during their

lives and how they are handled all directly affects the way the meat tastes...

And, judging by the docile nature of these happy, laid-back

cows, there's no doubt at all that Summerfield Farms is producing

only the most delicious and most tender 100% grass-fed beef!

Speaking of docile and sweet... Meet Preacher! Preacher is a darling and he

is the lead steer at Summerfield Farms. Part of the first lot purchased by

Summerfield Farms, Preacher's earned his position due to his reliability

in guiding new livestock to fresh pastures, which is a requirement of the

farm's intensive grazing plan. With a deeply gentle nature, Preacher is so

named for the counsel and comfort he provides his peers during and on the

last night of their stay at Summerfield Farms. Preacher will live out his natural

life on these gentle rolling hills, so do feel free to pop by to see him! He even

has his own blend of coffee that is sold at the Summerfield Farms Market...

While I don't drink coffee, I couldn't help but buy some to send to our son!

These Photos in Collage Courtesy of Summerfield Farms

Part of the monetization of this farm I referred to earlier comes from the

tremendous effort Summerfield Farms makes to providing spectacular

venues for corporate and community events, family reunions and high-end

farm weddings. Summerfield Farms prides itself on being a working farm

that is also a destination. And, again, from what I saw... They have it nailed!

These Photos in Collage Courtesy of Summerfield Farms

See what I mean? Summerfield Farms is committed to healthy living, even

offering Yoga classes at the barn! Summerfield Farms passionately believes that

healthy eating is medicine and therefore the key to wellness... This goes for the

animals they raise, the soil they manage and food they produce for you and me!

Summerfield Farms recently listed one of their cottages at Airbnb for anyone

seeking to get away from it all and experience life on a picturesque cattle farm...

These Photos in Collage Courtesy of Summerfield Farms

A picturesque cattle farm with its own full-service Market, featuring locally produced

and sourced meats, cheeses, produce, beverages and Summerfield Farms gift items too!

To learn more about Summerfield Farms and the many community events

they host throughout the year, visit the events page at their website here

These Collage Photos Courtesy of Summerfield Farms

As you can see, I truly enjoyed my tour and cannot thank Daniel

enough for his time and the effort he and the whole Summerfield

Farms team put into making my tour the best farm tour, ever!

So, I bet you're wondering... Where's the beef?

Here it is! In addition to the stew meat Summerfield Farms provided to help

make this the best pot of chili I have ever made, I also picked up a Ribeye to

prepare on the grill later this week while my kitchen is under construction...

Oh, yes... There was a flood at Casa Captain's Daughter over the

holidays; so as of this morning, the hardwood flooring is being replaced!

But more on that in a another blog post later! Right now...

It is time to put all of this beautiful Summerfield Farms 100%

grass-fed beef to work in an easy-to-throw together, hearty chili!

Over medium-high heat, cook three crushed cloves of garlic, five stalks celery, sliced

and one whole, chopped white onion in four tablespoons olive oil until tender...

Transfer cooked garlic/veg to a plate and add two tablespoons extra-virgin

olive oil to the same pan. When oil is hot, add stew meat and season liberally

with coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Brown beef on all sides...

After beef is browned, add garlic/veg mixture and cook an additional five minutes...

Add two cans diced tomatoes with juice...

Cook over medium heat for ten minutes, then add your favorite beans. I always

use a mix of pinto, black and kidney beans for added depth of flavor and texture

Add spices to your liking... I prefer a blend of cumin, paprika and oregano. Stir

to combine spices and reduce heat to medium-low. Allow chili to cook for two

hours (or until stew meat is fork-tender); stirring every thirty minutes or so...

My guy loves my chili dressed up with a dollop of

cool sour cream, diced tomatoes and sliced avocado!

And, fresh-baked sweet cornbread slathered

in unsalted butter and drizzled with local honey!

To learn more about Agriculture in North Carolina, click here

To learn how to support local growers all throughout North Carolina

and where to buy their products, visit the Got to be NC website here

Hungry for more delicious Beef Recipes? Then I invite you to check out

these posts by my fellow bloggers who also participated in this campaign!

Beef Lettuce Wraps by The Pantry Doctor - Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Sweet/Spicy Marinated London Broil by Pastry Chef Online - Baldwin Family Farms

Back to Earth Tacos by Jenn on a Mission - Back to Earth Farm

Bourbon Beef Chili by Nik Snacks - Newsome Farm

Organic Beef Pot Roast by Heidi Billotto Food - Proffitt Cattle Company

Marsala Mushroom Beef Pot Pie by Big Bear's Wife - Baldwin Family Farms

Simply Perfect Prime Rib Roast by Life of a Ginger - Ninja Cow Farm

Chile-Braised Short Rib Tacos by Nourish and Nestle - Moore Brothers Beef

Shepherd's Pie by Girl Gone Gourmet - Ray Family Farms