Jones Family Farm is a third-generation produce farm located in the Gilkey Community of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Jones Family Farm believes in sustainable agricultural practices. Its crops are grown without pesticides and herbicides in the raised beds of their of their hoop house (14’ x 80’), a seed-starting house (8’ x 8’), and various gardens.
Although the family land was handed down through the generations, Woodrow Wilson Jones, a North Carolina State Senator and Federal Judge, began producing food on the family’s Gilkey property in the 1950s. He focused on raising beef cattle and growing vegetables for his family’s use.
He taught his son, Michael Jones, traditional farming techniques and how to manage the family farm. Michael still carries on his father’s Rutherford County farming legacy and he has managed to pass down a love of growing food to his son, Seth Jones. Together they built the business that we now know as Jones Family Farm. Today, Michael is 79 years young and you can still see him on the tractor every day.
Seth grew up working on his family farm, picking produce and doing some farm maintenance. After High School, Seth set off for college to study graphic design. Around the time of graduation, he met his wife (and now co-farmer) Danielle and they moved to Raleigh where they both pursued jobs while both were working in the graphic design industry. After several years in the city, the couple decided to move back to Rutherford County to steer the farm towards sustainable practices and farming for profit. In 2013, the family opened The Market at Jones Family Farm across from their farm in Gilkey. The Market at Jones Family Farm is a hub for local food and handcrafted goods.
Danielle jokes that her only farm experience before meeting Seth were her annual family visits to the local low-country U-pick. Her life is much different now, as she manages garden beds with two children in tow. You can see the influence of the couple’s art degrees through their jewelry, which is hand-drawn and designed by the farmer-artists who need an outlet. You will see this couple and their children at the market on Saturdays!
Today Jones Family Farm sells its products using a variety of channels. You can buy their chemical-free produce at their Gilkey store, the Rutherford County Farmers Market, and on the farm’s website.
The Market at Jones Family Farm and their online store has become a valuable resource for Rutherford County farmers and artisans. Especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic when immunocompromised customers and vendors were unable to attend the Rutherford County Farmers Market.
To learn more about Jones Family Farm, visit the Rutherford County Farmers Market, check out their website, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
