A few weeks ago, I left Atlanta for a most amazing adventure with fellow awesome blogger, Melissa Haas of The Front Porch Gourmet. Our destination, Bluffton, Georgia, home of White Oak Pastures.
White Oak Pastures is a 5th generation family farm that has been in operation since 1866. Our farm specializes in humanely treated and processed animals, as well as organic vegetables.
We arrived at the gates of the 2.5 acre farm not really sure what to expect, but very excited of what was to come. We were greeted by Jenny, Marketing Manager at White Oak Pastures, and official welcoming committee member, Regal. Jenny offered to take us to the On-Farm Dining Pavilion for a beer. There we met a few members of the staff. We sat, enjoyed a cold beer, while Jenny told us a little bit about the pavilion.
White Oak Pastures decided to build the dining pavilion after realizing that most of their 100+ employees had to traveling 15 minutes each way to get food. Fast food at that. So they thought, why not provide fresh food, cooked from food raised and grown right on the farm for the employees. Now they serve lunch to their employees Monday through Friday, as well as tour groups and cabin guest. In addition to a laid back lunches, they also feature a more sophisticated dining experience on the weekends. I love that instead of calling it farm to table, they call it the “farm’s table”. This food is as fresh as you can possible get it.
Our cabin was amazing ! We had to drive past a pasture full of grassfed cows and free range chickens. And so it begins. We were pretty excited and took several photos. They were so cute! And totally unbothered by the gleeful photo shoot that was in full swing. I have about 500 pictures of them. Lol!
We are fiercely proud of what we do at White Oak Pastures, and we enjoy showing it to people. We also believe farms and food companies should operate with full transparency. In addition to that, we are gracious southern people and the enjoyment of entertaining guests is part of our heritage.
Once we passed these beautiful farm animals, we turned onto a small dirt path going into the woods. We arrived at the cabin. So cute!!!
The cabin included 2 beds, full bath, kitchen and a closed in porch with 2 large rocking chairs. In the refrigerator was a half dozen fresh farm eggs, and a fresh baked quiche. Can’t wait till the morning to partake of that! The cabin was beautifully decorated and so cozy. Not included was wifi or any kind of cellular service. Yes! Unplug from the world, relax and take these beautiful surroundings. At first, I was a little nervous about not having cellular service, but quickly embraced it! This is perfect place to enjoy the company of the person your with. Or a place to go by yourself and to fully reflect on life. It was so beautiful and peaceful!
I want to live here. For real! Until I saw our little friend. Eeeekk!!!!
White Oak Pastures is open year round for day trips or multi day vacations. We offer on-farm lodging along with on -farm dining at our Pavillion Restaurant; self-guided or hosted farm tours are available; equestrian activities upon request; miles of walking trails, fishing, and a whole lot more.
I had the best conversation with Melissa over a glass of wine and cheese from the pavilion. Rocking in our chairs in this most perfect night, we both agreed that tomorrow was going to be an adventure. With that, we climbed into our cabin beds and called it a night.
Up Next : Day 2 , The Farm Tour
For more information about on-lodging at White Oak Pastures visit www.whiteoakpastures.com.
White Oak Pastures
22775 Highway 27
Bluffton, Georgia 39824
Monday – Friday: 8AM to 5PM
Saturday: 9AM to 6PM
Sunday: 11AM to 5PM
(229) 641-2081
We are 170 miles south of Atlanta, GA (and 80 miles south of Columbus, GA):
Take Highway I-85 south to I-185.
Take Highway I-185 south to Columbus.
Take Highway 27 south through Cusseta, Lumpkin, Cuthbert, & Bluffton.
Our processing abattoir will be on your right.
We are 90 miles north of Tallahassee, FL:
Take Highway 27 north through Havana, Bainbridge, Colquitt, & Blakely.
Our processing abattoir will be on your left.
We are 50 miles west of Albany, GA:
Take Highway 62 west to Blakely.
Take Highway 27 north in Blakely towards Bluffton.
Our processing abattoir will be on your left.
We are 50 miles east of Dothan, AL:
Take Highway 52 east to Highway 62 east (at the AL/GA state line).
Take Highway 62 east to Highway 27 north in Blakely towards Bluffton.
Our processing abattoir will be on your left.
*Big THANK YOU to the entire Jenny and the entire White Oak Pastures Staff for hosting Melissa and I for this super awesome experience that I will never forget. This press trip was complimentary, but all thoughts and opinions are that of my own.
Shana Was Here 