Locally sourced produce, dairy, meats, eggs and other fresh items can be found at farms and orchards in the Tomball and Magnolia areas. Customers can buy the products onsite at the farms and orchards or at some local restaurants and farmers markets. This list is not comprehensive.
1. Aitken Farm and Ranch Opening to the public in November 2017, the family-owned Aitken Farm and Ranch raises grass-fed cattle. Owner Shana Aitken offers several different cuts of meat, such as T-bone, sirloin, rib-eye, skirt steak, stew meat and tip roast. The farm also offers eggs and cuts of chicken. By August, Aitken said she plans to open a storefront near the entrance of the farm, which will offer the farm’s prepackaged meats and products from local merchants. 20000 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball 832-422-5164 www.aitkenfarmandranch.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; open year-round, call for special availability
2. Gramen Farm Gramen Farm is corporately owned by Gramen Farm LLC, but it launched as a family-owned farm in 2007, said Jeff Parsons, a store clerk at the farm. Parsons said the farm raises grass-fed animals in pastures free from pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics and growth hormones. At the farm’s store, customers can buy low-temperature milk, eggs, meats and a variety of vegetables and other products from local vendors, such as coffee, tea and honey. 20158 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball 832-627-3856 www.gramenfarm.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,Sat. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun. noon- 5 p.m.; open year-round
3. Partybarn Farm Partybarn Farm reopened this year after closing to the public in 2015. Owner Richard Smith has operated the small farm offering organic vegetables since 1999, he said. This season, the farm will offer potatoes, green beans, squash, peppers, corn and tomatoes. 18611 Becker Road, Hockley 281-255-4428 www.facebook.com/partybarnfarm Hours: Call for availability and harvest selections; open seasonally
4. Three Sister Farms Three Sister Farms is a 60-acre family farm in Tomball, which launched in 2014. Fifth-generation farmer Sara Wilson said she uses sustainable agricultural practices to provide eggs, chicken, pork and grass-fed beef. The livestock are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. Three Sister Farms is not open to the public. However, customers can find the farm’s products, such as eggs and meat cuts, for purchase at local restaurants and farmers markets, Wilson said. Customers can find Three Sister Farms products at Fielding’s Local Kitchen + Bar, Fielding’s Wood Grill, The Wheel Kitchen, Gramen Farm and Murdoch’s Backyard Pub. Three Sister Farms also sets up shop at the Tomball Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon at the Urban Harvest Eastside Farmers Market in Houston. Customers can also place large pickup orders by contacting the farm. 281-854-8488 www.threesisterfarm.com
5. Tippy’s Farm Fresh Eggs Kevin Draughon and his 13-year-old son Chase started Tippy’s Farm Fresh Eggs in 2012. The small family farm sells chickens and free-range pasture eggs. 832-620-3622 www.facebook.com/tippysfarmfresheggs Hours: Call for availability; open year-round
6. Weinberg Rosehill Farm The family-owned Weinberg Rosehill Farm has been in the community for more than 100 years. Owners Bud and Susie Weinberg grow a range of produce, including bell peppers, eggplants, jalapenos, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, and mustard and turnip greens. Beginning in late May, Susie said she expects squash, tomatoes and sweet onions to be ready for harvest. 17207 FM 2920, Tomball 281-351-5185 www.facebook.com/weinbergsrosehillfarm Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sun. noon-4 p.m., call for harvest selections; open mid-May until September, depending on weather
7. Chmielewski’s Blueberry Farm Spanning 8 acres, the pick-your-own blueberry farm is family-operated. The farm offers Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush blueberries with seven different varieties of blueberries available. The blueberries ripen at different times of the season beginning in May and continue for about six weeks. Customers must pick their own berries and purchase by the pound. 23810 Bauer Hockley Road, Hockley 281-304-0554 www.chmielewski-blueberry.com Hours: Call for availability
8. Matt Family Orchard Matt Family Orchard offers 40 acres of fruits and berries for customers to pick. Richard “Rick” Matt said he harvests blueberries, black berries, figs, jujube (Asian dates), Asian persimmons (Shizi) and Asian pears. The orchard offers year-round group tours and an annual festival in October. All fruit is pick-your-own and sold by the pound. 21110 Bauer Hockley Road, Tomball 281-351-7676 www.mattfamilyorchard.com Hours: Call for availability and harvest selection; open year-round
Worth the Trip Atkinson Farms Open since 2000, the farm offers pick-your-own seasonal produce like strawberries and features a selection of produce grown on-site, including tomatoes, watermelon and Brussels sprouts as well as jams and pickles. 3217 Spring Cypress Road, Spring ­832-381-8202 www.atkinsonfarms.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; open March through October