Products: Herbs, herb products, fruit (berries, peaches, apples), syrup, jelly, granola, salve, seasoning blends and spices
Heisy Farm is a one family-owned generational farm with the original home built in 1868 for the purpose of the underground railroad. Farming of some kind has always been done on the land. Dating all the way back to the start when plowing was done with oxen.
Malcolm is a fourth generation owner/farmer of the Heisy property. He farmed exclusively until 1989 when he took his first job outside the farm as the manager of Caesars Creek Flea Market. He carried his first lunch away from home at age 42, including going to school. He always enjoyed food made at home on the farm. Married to Kathy in 1999, she being from much further south continued to indulge his love of food and farm. Becoming vegetarian soon after they were married, the love of growing, preserving and eating food grown at home became even greater as they searched to discover creative ways to enjoy the fruits of the harvest, as well as share with others.
Managing a large local food pantry for 9 years, they were saddened to see that fresh food was not often offered to people using the food pantry for their meals. It created an opportunity to add more ways to grow and increase the selection of things they could grow and share through the food pantry.
Sharing and growing is still the most integral part of life for the Shutts. Bringing herbs, fruits and vegetables, as well as a few crafty creations they've learned along the way that going to the Clinton County Farmers Market is the high point of their week.
In the words of a famous philanthropist, we find the best written explanation for our love of food and farm, Booker T. Washington founder of Tuscagee Institute penned these words: "As a contribution toward the worthy object of procuring physical nourishment.....A friend and former slave owner gave (Booker T. Washington) $100.00 to be used to buy a horse. He stretched the $100.00 to cover not only the horse but a second hand lumber wagon, a plow, harness and a sack of corn to feed the horse.
Dr. Washington referred to the horse as blind, lame, broken down and worn out.....However it enabled the students at Tuscagee to start planting cabbages, watermelon, corn, sweet potatos, and sorghum. "This they did with enthusiasm because it promised something to eat. All the industries at Tuscagee have been started in natural and logical order growing out of the needs of a community settlement.....we began with farming because we wanted something to eat......" -Excerpt from Up from Slavery
