Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Hudgins.
Laurie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I come from a long line of farmers. For as long as I can remember, the men of my family have been raising a variety of crops in North Alabama, from wheat and corn to soybeans, but cotton was always king. It wasn’t surprising that I would feel a deeply rooted need to be connected to the land wherever I might be planted. What was surprising was that while my dad and his before tended to rows, I chose goats. Or, rather, goats chose me. They took hold of my heart and haven’t turned loose yet.
Food is my love language, of which I had my first lessons seated at my grandmother’s table. Or rather, perched on a stool beside her as she rolled out dough for family favorites such as teacakes, dumplings, and biscuits. But, the recipe that we all loved best was her caramel cake.
What began as a means to provide fresh milk for my family evolved into something so much more as I married my love for both my grandmother’s caramel cake and my goats into a business of crafting goat milk caramels. I now sell my caramels at several local stores, online, at multiple farmers’ markets and events across the DFW area, and even onboard a California based membership airline. We are excited to have been chosen as a vendor for the Go Texan pavilion at the upcoming Taste of Dallas in September.
Has it been a smooth road?
Farming (and ranching) is one of the biggest gambles a person can take. Whether it’s crops or livestock, the variables are too many for it to always be a safe bet. There have been years where our kidding season was tough, and others have been textbook perfect. Starting a business is much the same with its unknown odds.
And, starting a business as both a female farmer and female entrepreneur has certainly presented its own unique challenges. However, I’ve found that for the most part, the DFW area has been overwhelmingly welcoming.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jolly Acres – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My husband, a former chef of nearly fifteen years, and I are both passionate about food – really good food. Being connected to my food sources and involved in local communities have always been of importance to me. Jolly Acres was created to share my love of using real food ingredients, with creamy goat milk being the star as we handcraft small-batch goat milk caramels. We are committed to using simply the best ingredients available to provide a simply delicious caramel. Notably, the use of local honey in the place of corn syrup.
We make goat milk caramels of different flavorings, caramel spoons, cajeta, pretzel bark, a variety of flavored caramel corn, and special order products such as our chocolate pralines, truffles, and bonbons. Our most popular product is our salted caramels, followed by our caramel spoons. Our caramel spoons are solid caramel and slowly melt as you stir your favorite hot beverages.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The food, of course! The selection, the choices, all of it is like a constant parade of deliciousness!
My biggest dislike is the traffic that stands between me and the food! Maybe the toll booths should double as taco stands?
Pricing:
- Our caramels are offered by the pound, $15, and by the half-pound, $8.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jollyacresfarms.com/
- Phone: 469.301.1995
- Email: info@jollyacresfarms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollyacresfarms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JollyAcresFarms/
Image Credit:
Lizzy Trauer Photography
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