Stone Gable Farm, a local beef farm, sells to residents around the area, and keeps their cows happy while doing so.
Chris Weidner, the farm owner, said he’s lived in Jones County since the late 1960s. He said he came to Jones County from Indiana, because his father bought land and was transferred.
“Jones County is home. Everybody likes to move here,” he said. “Back in the 1970s you had to drive down the road with your hand in the air, because everyone knew you. If you didn’t do that, someone would get offended. Gray is still the number one place to be in Georgia.”
The owner said he always farmed, and he loves it. His family had another farm in the 1970s before they bought Stone Gable Farm. He said they have had cows ever since they have had Stone Gable Farm.
“Stone Gable Farm started in 1979 when my parents bought this land, and through a divorce most of the land was sold off. My wife and I bought the house and remaining acres from my parents, and it’s just been carried on from there,” Weidner said.
The owner said Stone Gable Farm is a good learning opportunity to know what happens with beef. He said FFA members visit the farm to help them feed the cows and learn more about cows. They enjoy being at the farm, and he can answer their questions. He said he doesn’t want people to lose sight of where their food comes from.
“Stone Gable Farm is important, because it gives people a chance to come out and see the cows. A lot of people have never seen a cow up close,” he said. “They don’t know the process, and we have a lot of people who want to pick out their cow to be harvested. They can shop locally.”
Weidner said the boxes of meat people can purchased for $7 a pound. He said right now the waiting list is until December. He said he won’t know the prices for after December, since material prices have changed. Some of the meats included in the boxes are ribs, ground beef, brisket, steaks, stir fry packs, ribeye steaks, New York strip steaks, filet medallions, and more.
The owner said his cows are happy and a happy cow taste better. He said his cows aren’t pinned up and allowed to roam. He said feeding the cows bread is the secret to what makes them taste so good. He added that watching the calves being born is a real learning experience and something amazing to witness.
“My favorite thing about Stone Gable is the memories of my childhood and the memories with my kids. I enjoy the neighborhood kids who want to feed the cows,” Weidner said.
Stone Gable Farm is located at 163 Weidner Road in Gray. For more information about Stone Gable Farm, visit https://www. facebook.com/ StoneGableFarm or call 478-986-0870.