Of THe EArth
Farm + DISTILLERY
located in the gently rolling hills of Ray County in northwest Missouri.
In season the orchard produces apples, Asian pears and peaches. Spent mash from the production of premium spirits is fed to Berkshire hogs to produce flavorful pork and supplemented to the Katahdin sheep to make an especially happy flock.
Apple brandy, from Of The Earth apples; Ray County Rye Whisky, made with rye grown in Ray County; and Grappa created from Missouri Norton grapes were released in December 2013. Blackberry and Raspberry Liqueur from fresh, local berries were added to the offerings in August 2014 and 2015. Pommeau was also released in 2015.
This is a unique blending of apple distillates and fresh apple juice aged in a recycled Apple brandy barrel.
In season the orchard produces apples, Asian pears and peaches. Spent mash from the production of premium spirits is fed to Berkshire hogs to produce flavorful pork and supplemented to the Katahdin sheep to make an especially happy flock.
Apple brandy, from Of The Earth apples; Ray County Rye Whisky, made with rye grown in Ray County; and Grappa created from Missouri Norton grapes were released in December 2013. Blackberry and Raspberry Liqueur from fresh, local berries were added to the offerings in August 2014 and 2015. Pommeau was also released in 2015.
This is a unique blending of apple distillates and fresh apple juice aged in a recycled Apple brandy barrel.
A TOUCH OF OUR HISTORY
In the early 1990s Jim C. and Patricia Pierce moved to a small acreage north of Rayville, Missouri. As they built their new home and developed surrounding herb, vegetable, and flower gardens they received a gift. Their oldest son, Jim D., gave them an assortment of heirloom apple trees. This sparked an interest in Jim C. that continues today.
Over the years the apple tree assortment has grown to a seven acre orchard that includes 26 varieties of apples, two varieties of Asian pears, and two varieties of peaches. 
Sarah joined our operation in 2009. Sarah's strong animal husbandry skills and her knowledge of direct marketing meat inspired an expansion. A Katahdin sheep flock and Berkshire hogs were introduced to increase the farm's sustainability and offer guests the opportunity to purchase our locally produced grass-fed meats.
The Katahdin sheep flock was started in the fall of 2012. Our 18 ewes and their bodyguard, Alfred the Llama, rotationally graze our pastures under the direction of Jim D. and Sarah. After the apple harvest, our flock is moved to the orchard to feast upon the stockpiled vegetation under the trees. 
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The story for Of The Earth starts over two decades ago with Patricia Sappington Pierce; then resident of Buckner, MO. Patricia began combining her love of herbs and her love of art in the creation of clay garden markers. These were so popular with family and friends that she began selling them at local farmers markets. Since clay and herbs both come from the earth she named her enterprise Of The Earth. 
Jim D. was first introduced to Eau de Vie at a Fruit Growers Conference. This "Water of Life" captivated his attention and he began to immerse himself in the production of fruit brandy. This research lead to an idea, the idea of a new product for Of The Earth - Eau de Vie made from the fruits and herbs grown on our farm. In 2011 Of The Earth Farm + Distillery was born of this idea. And our very first batch of apple Eau de Vie was released in December of 2013. 
Custom raised Berkshire pork was added to our farm in 2013. The spent fruit and grain mash are fed as a supplement to the hogs. This provides a sustainable way to dispose of the mash while making for extra, extra happy hogs! |