About Broad River Pastures
Broad River Pastures is an 11 acre family farmstead. It is located in Northeast Georgia near the Broad River and borders South Carolina. The farmstead was established in 2010 by suburban refugee foodies Jon and Cathy Payne. In homestead fashion, we have a family milking goat, chickens and ducks for eggs and ocassional meat, rabbits for meat and fur, sheep for meat, wool, and milk, and an old fashioned farm collie to help with the work and guard our home. Our Livestock Guardian Dog performs border patrol and guards the livestock 24/7. We grow our family’s produce in raised beds, traditional rows, and to ease maintenance and an edible landscape around the 60 year old farmhouse. Five stately pecan trees supply additional protein to our diet. The livestock and poultry provide fertilizer for our pastures and gardens, along with kitchen compost. We do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides on the property.
Our Vision for Broad River Pastures:
- Produce delicious, nutrient-dense food.
- Improve the health of our soil, pastures, and livestock through the use of farm inputs, rotational grazing, and the application of green manures and naturally occurring minerals.
- Promote and preserve rare heritage breeds of animals and heirloom varieties of crops for future generations to enjoy.
- Provide a humane and healthy environment that respects the needs of our livestock.
- Incorporate principles of permaculture to design a self-sufficient farmstead that mimics natural ecosystems.
- Educate others about nutrient dense food and farming on a small scale.
- Develop opportunities for the next generation to learn about sustainable agriculture as a viable career option.
We welcome visitors to the farm and encourage you to learn how your food is produced. We are always ready to answer any questions. Jon and Cathy have a Podcast called Our Natural Life. Our other website is at www.OurNaturalLife.com.