Staff Report
Marcus Carey is well-known as an attorney, a prolific political commentator, a talk radio host, public speaker and a candidate for public office.
But through college, law school and 35 years in the practice of law, he spent as much time as possible in the forests, fields and farmland of his home state.
Today, he’s spending as much time as possible at Steepleview Farm, where he lives with his wife, Harriett, and where they raised two sons, horses, cattle, tobacco, hay and dogs — and now raise farm to table produce in a big way.
“I grew up dreaming of owning a farm and worked hard to make that dream come true,” Carey says.
He and Harriet bought their farm in Owen County in the little community of Poplar Grove 30 years ago.
It was tough love. They cleared scrub land, put in hiking trails, built fishing lakes, hosted campouts for kids, and generally discovered the never-ending quest for improving. They’re still working hard.
Last year, the Careys took their farm to an entirely different level.
“Like most Kentucky farmers, we were your typical tobacco, cattle and hay producers. But over the years, we developed an interest in producing healthier food for our family and friends. We always canned and preserved food ourselves, so we toyed with the idea of using our farm to offer some of those same good things to a wider audience,” Carey says.
“We traveled around the county and noticed a growing trend toward sustainable agriculture, organic foods and farm to table wholesomeness.
“We are concluding our second season of ‘The Saturday Farmer’s Market at Steepleview Farm,’ and it has been a richly rewarding experience.”
The Careys are concluding the season with a bang — with a “First Annual” BBQ & Bluegrass Jam on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., complete with music, down-home food and fun and games.
“Too many people rush to the maddening crowd for food and entertainment rather than to the peace and quiet of the country,” Carey says. “We want folks to seek a more leisurely, pleasant experience where a 20 or 30 minute drive will be through scenic woods with wildlife all around and nothing but a breeze in their face.”
The Careys’ neighbors, Owen Electric, Kelly Brothers Home and Design Center and others are sponsoring the event.
“Because we feel so blessed to have this wonderful life in the country, we want to share it with everybody,” Carey says.
Carey also hopes to attract more vendors to his farmer’s market to make it the “go to outlet” for organic and naturally grown foods. He believes he has the ideal setting, with a picturesque view of the little Poplar Grove Baptist Church across the road and of an immense sky from the deck of their little Kentucky Proud store where Carey cooks lunch for his customers every Saturday May through October.
These days, he’s focused on the upcoming celebration and preparing for a big crowd.
There’s plenty to encourage a crowd: a “Pickers Workshop” with Scotty Anderson, Col. Don’s handmade ice cream, fresh pressed apple cider, making carmel apples, kettle corn, corn hole games, hayrides to the pumpkin patch at Michel’s Family Farm, and music by The Downtown County Band, New Town, and Nightflyer.
And then there’s Carey’s own pit-cooked pulled pork barbecue.
By coincidence, the pumpkin patch at Michel’s Family Farm is run by Carey’s old neighbor from early days in Erlanger whose farm at the end of Riggs Road he hiked across as a boy.
“Here we are, a half century later, neighbors surrounded by an environment we love. It’s like going back in time for me,” he says.
Tickets to the event are just $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Corn hole will benefit Tailgating for Troops and ticket proceeds go to Owen County Arts Council.
For more information and for secure online ticket purchase, go to Musicfest.farm.
The farm is at Rt. 1316 and US 127 North, Sparta.
