Writer: Tiffany Adams Photography: Jamie Lee and Beth Hall
Want to know where your food comes from? These local markets offer an array of meat and vegetable options—along with opportunities to experience farm life
Angela and Alan Mahan started Rabbit Ridge Farms with a thread of an idea. “We had a commitment to catch, kill, or grow as much of our family’s food as possible,” Alan says. That idea grew from their family’s table to those of family and friends, and eventually to the tables of customers who shared this mindset when it came to sourcing food.
Starting with their small existing cattle operation, they leaned into regenerative agriculture practices and thoughtfully raising their herds. Word began to spread about the quality of their beef, and that led them to raising pigs and later chickens due to requests from their growing list of customers. “We want to be transparent about how our animals are raised,” Angela says. “These animals only have one bad day,” Alan adds with a laugh.
As a part of this, they also wanted to reconnect people with the meals on their plates while educating them on the processes it takes to get there. “Children and adults who didn’t grow up around this don’t know where their food comes from,” Alan notes. To this point, Rabbit Ridge Farms offers opportunities to see the cattle graze, pet their pig and farm mascot, Eric (seen above), and experience farm life. On-site, a giant barn-like structure houses their market, suites for overnight stays for those who want a longer experience, and a restaurant that serves a hearty breakfast and lunch menu on Fridays and Saturdays. In addition, the barn serves as a hub for community events including school field trips, walk-about tours, festivals, and gatherings—all of which are vital to the couple’s mission.
“All of our plans have been fluid,” Angela says. “We believe the farm is an extension of our home and the staff is an extension of our family,” Alan says. “There are no streetlights, no stoplights; it’s a place where you feel safe and a place where we want everyone to feel welcome,” he adds.
Location
484 Rabbit Ridge Road, Bee Branch
Mission
Create community through food and agriculture.
Market Offerings
Beef, pork, chicken, sausages, and broths along with prepared foods and farm merchandise. Meats available in subscription boxes to stock your freezer.
Events, Eats & More
Weekly brunches held most Fridays and Saturdays
March through December
Friday night dinner and concert series
Educational tours for schools and those interested in raising chickens
or starting a hobby farm
Available for corporate and private events
as well as weddings
Community festivals and events held throughout the year
Plan Your Visit
Open year-round with varying seasonal hours. Visit their website (rabbitridgefarm.com) for specific hours, event details and reservations, and to shop online 24/7 for goods shipped to your door. You can also follow along on Instagram
(@rabbitridgefarms).
Photos of Rabbit Ridge Farm by Jamie Lee.
Melissa and Adam Millsap have been farming since 2009, providing raw vegetables to consumers through CSAs, farm stands, farmers markets, and area restaurants. They originally started their venture in Springfield, Missouri; however, they were hired to design a farm project in Northwest Arkansas and liked the area so much they decided to move to Bentonville.
After purchasing their farmhouse and acreage, they opened Turnbuckle Farm in the fall of 2023. “We started with what we knew well, vegetables, and then added in the microbakery and food truck,” Melissa says. “Agritourism always interested us, so we looked for ways to kick up the hospitality aspect,” she adds.
Home cooks can find fresh produce at the farm stand, but those who are less inclined in the kitchen can pick up prepared soups and sandwiches there as well. The food truck also helps in their goal of using all the food they grow through their made-to-order breakfast and lunch items. The couple’s teenage son and daughter operate this service that is currently open three days a week.
Turnbuckle also strives to be a place where “folks can fall in love with nature and connect with the creeks and rivers,” Melissa says. Soon, a portion of the Razorback Regional Greenway will run adjacent to their property, and Melissa hopes the farm will be a respite or pausing point for bikers and walkers passing by. “We encourage people to slow down, get your food, and look out at the land or listen to the chicks and ducks,” she says. “We have built a farm before, and we witnessed how important it is to have community involvement. They don’t get built by two people; it takes time and a community.”
Photography of Turnbuckle Farm by Beth Hall.
Location
821 McNelly Road, Bentonville
Mission
Connect people to real food through agriculture.
Market Offerings
Seasonal produce; depending on the time of year typical offerings include spinach, arugula, head lettuce, carrots, onions, potatoes, kale, collard greens, beets, cucumbers, tomatoes, leeks, green onions, and celery. Microgreens and herbs are offered year-round. Prepared soups and sandwiches, bread, eggs, cheeses, meats, and fresh flowers from other local growers are also available. CSA subscriptions available in 12- or 24-week shares.
Events, Eats & More
Food truck with made-to-order breakfast and lunch items
Year-round Chef Dinners hosted on the grounds
Community events
Available for private events
Plan Your Visit
The farm stand is open sunup to sundown and runs on an honor system with an iPad for self checkout. The food truck is currently open three days a week with a varying schedule. Learn more at turnbuckle-farm.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram (@turnbuckle_farm).
Find more farm stands, year-round markets, and purveyors of local meat and produce on our blog.
