Spotlight on our Farmers

“Aunt” Wash Maybin- A local legend from Henry Co Al
from Richter Farms

After moving out to the farm in 2010, we heard fascinating stories about the history of our area from our new neighbors. One such account was about Wash Maybin, an African-American midwife who was well liked by the community, as was her family. She lived about ½ mile from our property down our farm’s dirt road, and was part of the farming community in the early 20th century. In spite of the obstacles to success our African American Community faced in the early 1900s, she did what she could, focused on opportunities instead of obstacles, and succeeded. She owned a small farm just down the road from our property, and assisted delivering newborn babies for both black and white families. As a midwife, she would come to the home of an expectant mother, stay with their family to assist with the birth, take care of the mother and baby for two weeks, and charge $25. If the baby developed ailments, Aunt Wash would prepare her own home remedies and treat the baby or mother with positive results.

The locals called the 1 ½ mile dirt road we live on the “Wash Mabin Road” up until Henry County renamed the roads for the E911 system. It was a shame that Henry County didn’t do what Houston and other counties did and name the road according to the historical name “Wash Mabin Road”. However, a previously unnamed spring fed branch creek flowed through our property as well as the property that Wash Mabin farmed, and helped feed the Abbey Creek, and we decided it needed an official name. The creek needed to carry on the legacy of our most notable past resident, so we applied to assign the name to our creek. After 13 months of fact checking with the US Board on Geographic Names, filling out paperwork and waiting, our branch was officially named the Wash Maybin Branch! It seemed fitting that our farm branch was named for someone who saw opportunities, overcame the obstacles, and succeeded.

We couldn’t think of a more fitting example for us sustainable farmers who have obstacles such as large scale confinement operations selling cheap but low quality meat, large farms producing chemical containing and GMO grains and vegetables, and the challenge of economic transport of food to the consumer. Modern sustainable farmers are carrying on the tradition of past generations who want what’s best for ourselves and our neighbors, and we’re willing to swim against the current of our present society and trends. Richter Farms chose to produce the finest quality sustainable pork for ourselves and our customers. Many people have tasted and agree that we’ve succeeded.

Market Info

Farm to Table Recipes

Slow Cooker Pork This is one of those easy make ahead recipes. Perfect for a picnic, company or packing lunch!

Ingredients
3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast, trimmed
1 package McCormick® Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar

Instructions
Place pork in slow cooker.
Mix Seasoning Mix, ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar until blended. Pour over pork. Cover.
Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. Remove pork from slow cooker.
Shred pork, using 2 forks. Return pork to slow cooker. Mix and heat with sauce before serving. Serve on sandwich rolls, if desired.

Footnotes

Our Website: marketatdothan.locallygrown.net

Our Email: marketatdothan@gmail.com

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarketatDothan

For Friday Pickup: Dothan Nurseries, 1300 Montgomery Highway, Dothan, AL 36303