Island Farm on Roanoke Island is sort of an overlooked gem of a place to check out on the Outer Banks. Located on 15 acres of what was once the 420 acre Etheridge farmstead, Island Farm does everything the old fashioned way.
By that what we mean is they grow their crops and raise livestock the same way it would have been done on antebellum Roanoke Island.
Thursday the farm is going to be hosting a Tater Day, which is part of Island Farm’s historic food series. The series draws attention to the rational ways of growing crops the farm uses—and it is very productive—as well as the heirloom crops they grow.
Tater Day will feature the rational Irish potato. For the farmers or adventurous, there’s a chance to dig for the potatoes. For everyone else, staff will be frying freshly harvested potatoes and turning out kettle-fried potato chips.
When in operation before the Civil War, Etheridge’s farm was very productive. According to Island Farm when they researched what crop production, in 1850 the farm produced 200 bushels of corn, 50 bushels of field peas, 100 bushels of sweet potatoes and 20 bushels of Irish potatoes—and that was done on just 15 acres. The remaining land of Adam Etheridge’s farm was given over to livestock and timber harvest.
The Etheridge family did have enslaved people. Richard Etheridge, the first African American to be in charge of a Lifesaving Station, Pea Island beginning in 1880, was born on the farm as an enslaved person.
This is one of those events that’s great for kids, giving them a better understanding of how food gets to the table. But equally as important, events at Island Farm are invariably fun for everyone..
There is so much to do and experience on the Outer Banks from Corolla to Hatteras Village. Be sure to make your reservation today to stay in a Brindley Beach Vacations home.