Dew Dance Farm
by Sarah Evert
L
aura Young and her husband George McRae strive to sustainably and healthfully raise much of what their four-person family needs. They own and operate Dew
Dance Farm in Lee County, North Carolina, where they and their two children reside. The farm is foremost a family farm, providing a wide va-
riety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, mushrooms, herbs, and fibers. In the pastures, free-range livestock graze. Poultry produce eggs, while llamas, goats, and sheep produce fiber. “We don’t buy eggs,” says Young. “We’re able to produce eggs all year long.” The family sells the abundance of their goods to the community through on-farm sales.
Most of the animals are heritage or endangered breeds. One example is the Narragansett Turkey. “It is a historical breed,” Young says, “a cross of the domestic European turkey and the wild American turkey dating from when the early set- tlers came over.”
50 NA Triangle
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The farm was originally stewarded by McRae’s grand- parents, and after they passed it went through a period of relative non-use. Much of their hard work was destroyed. In the 80’s McRae took up the farm and began to work it into shape. In 1986, Young married and joined him there. Together, they have worked to implement natural and sustainable farming practices. Their animals are raised natu- rally. Young says early advice from their veterinarian was to “simulate nature as closely as you can . . . the farther you get from nature, the more health problems you’re going to have.” “Don’t put them in a barn,” she learned. “They’re not meant to be standing in a barn. They should be out walking and moving to get their food.” The animals at Dew Dance Farm graze at will. The sheep, goats, and llamas are grass-fed in the summer and hay-fed in the winter. “The only time I feed them grain is to get them to come to me, so that I can trim their hooves or
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