Falling in love with Ninja Cow Farm

Ninja Cow Farm, owned and operated by Dan Moore, is a sustainable livestock operation in Raleigh specializing in Angus cattle and heritage bred pigs. The 84-acre parcel of land has been in Dan’s family since 1980, and his father’s side has a history of farming in North Carolina dating back to the 1790’s. Farming was a significant part of Dan’s upbringing and it continues to shape his family’s legacy. 

Today, Dan carries on his family tradition with the help of his wife and their three children. Running this popular farm has proven to be a family affair that requires all hands on deck. Dan’s son has been the designated tour guide since he was 12 years old, while his daughters have worked as store cashiers since they could count change. Together, they work hard to provide for themselves and their community, all the while practicing environmental stewardship. 

Dan touts that Ninja Cow is a “hippie-farm,” with everything they do being environmentally friendly. Yet life on the farm wasn’t always this way.

In 2015, Dan stepped away from his corporate job and opted to run the family farm full-time. The reality of managing a livestock operation hit him hard and quick. “We had no topsoil and no grass, we had cattle, and I had to figure out how to feed these cows,” Dan says. So, he went to the local John Deere dealer in search of the proper equipment to till his land and start anew. To his dismay, he needed $200,000 worth of equipment. Right away he went back to the drawing board, and out of pure luck, he discovered 6 acres of untouched land with luscious grass growing on his property — enough space to test out rotational livestock grazing.

This was the beginning of his sustainable venture. “I accidentally discovered that hippie farming works, so I converted to being a hippie,” Dan says. He quickly learned that by dividing his pasture into smaller parcels using portable fencing equipment he could prevent his cattle from overgrazing and reduce soil erosion. According to Dan, the key principles of rotational grazing are simple; “The shorter the time frame, the smaller the pad, the more you can keep the cows moving, the better everything will be.” Every day since, except during the winter, Dan corrals his herd of 50 or so baldy Angus cows into a new subdivision of land. This process results in less soil compaction, increased resistance to drought, and improved plant growth and recovery. In addition, the staff at Ninja Cow mow each tract to the same height and allow the cut vegetation to decompose into the land. Over the years, they have produced roughly three inches of topsoil rich in nutrients and microorganisms.

The cattle at Ninja Cow are primarily grass-fed, with the occasional side of fresh fruits and veggies. In 2014, Dan stumbled into an unlikely, yet desperately needed partnership with the Raleigh Farmers Market. One day he was with his kids at the farmers market and he ran into a woman shucking corn. Jokingly, he said, “I should bring my cows over here to graze on that!” Next thing you know, he is diverting 2 and a half million pounds of unsold produce from the landfill each year. This remarkable feat not only reduces food waste, but it also eliminates the need for commercial feed and creates a better tasting, high-quality product.

One of the most unique features of Ninja Cow Farm is its location; it is a peri-urban ranch outside of Raleigh’s I-40 beltline. “Ninja Cow is already the closest and largest animal farm in Wake County to Downtown,” Dan says. Located only eight miles away from the heart of Raleigh, its proximity to town is both a blessing and a curse.

On the one hand, they have a leg up when it comes to selling their products directly to customers. The farm’s location on the fringe of town allows for them to expand their customer base to city dwellers and tap into Raleigh’s flourishing market. In fact, about 95 percent of their sales are direct to consumers through their on-farm grocery store.

Dan shares his good fortune with other family-owned farms by representing and selling their value-added specialty items in his store. The Ninja Cow store features a variety of soaps, sauces, and jams from across the state and proudly showcases their support for other environmentally conscious entrepreneurs. As Dan puts it, “we celebrate the other farmers.” Ninja Cow Farm plays a vital role in uplifting local and regional foods.

Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the state of North Carolina. As a result, it is experiencing rampant urban sprawl. Thankfully, Ninja Cow Farm is protected on two out of three sides geographically. To the Southeast is Swift Creek, a wetland that is owned by the City of Raleigh, essentially guaranteeing that no development will occur there. On the Southside of the farm is Garner Country Club. As long as this property remains in the same hands, Dan does not see this posing an issue. Additionally, North Carolina farms are exempt from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction regulations, thereby protecting Ninja Cow Farm from annexation. On the other hand, the NC Department of Transportation has the power to condemn the front of his farm if they move forward with completing Interstate 540. While this has not come to fruition yet, the project has been on the table for a long time and would not come as a surprise to farmer Dan. In fact, he says its construction “will probably be an increase in business for Ninja Cow” due to greater visibility and easier access.

Long story short, this is the tale of one NC farmer dedicating his life’s work to putting good food, raised right, on the dinner table. When you shop at Ninja Cow Farm, there is no question about the people or intentions behind the food, and the same goes for lots of small to medium-sized farming operations around the Carolinas. These farmers go the extra mile to produce a product they can be proud of. In exchange for opting out of the anonymity provided by a grocery store and instead switching to a local producer, you are guaranteed transparency, authenticity, and accountability.

What can you do to support sustainable farms like Ninja Cow?

Farmers are tasked with juggling their work in the fields, administrative duties, and ensuring their customers are satisfied. When planning a visit to a farm, research their hours beforehand and contact the farmer if you are looking for a tour. For example, the Ninja Cow Farm store is open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

If you are interested in getting a behind the scenes look at life on the farm, People-First Tourism (P1t) can make these wishes come to life. P1t organizes farm tours so that tourists and local residents can meet farmers and see how they produce food and raise livestock. During this pandemic we offer virtual tours, so while you are stuck at home you can feel like you are right there in the countryside.

What can you do to support farms this Valentine’s day?

Consumers have an immense amount of power. If we want to help build an economically viable local food system, it is important that we patronize restaurants that source their ingredients from neighboring farms. Since the Covid-19 pandemic will prevent us from going out on a date to a fancy restaurant, this Valentine’s Day, we invite you to buy take-out from a farm-to-table restaurant and go enjoy it in a romantic picnic at a local farm. 

People-First Tourism partners with several amazing restaurants that we know are committed to sourcing fresh ingredients from farmers like Dan at Ninja Cow Farm. These restaurants are dedicated to uplifting sustainable farmers while creating innovative, flavorful dishes with the best ingredients around.

Restaurants that offer Valentine’s Day take-out meals

Coast

• The Cove in Holden Beach, NC  is accepting advance orders with local produce and local catch for take-out on Valentine’s day.

Piedmont

• Elliotts on Linden located in Pinehurst, NC is offering a special Valentine’s Day To Go meal. Available for pickup on February 13^th between 12:00 and 5:00 pm.
• Vimala’s Curryblossom Café in Chapel Hill, NC is offering a special 3 Course Valentine’s Dinner. 
• Mandolin located in Raleigh, NC is offering a 4 Course Valentine’s Meal Kits for two. Order must be placed by February 8^th and will be available for pick-up at Mandolin on February 13^th between 12:00-4:00.
• Bradley Clonginger will be performing live music at Newgrass Brewing in Shelby, NC, for a Valentine’s Day Special.
• The Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh, NC is offering a Valentine’s Day Prix Frixe Dinner fully cooked, packed cold, and ready for pickup Sunday February 14 from 1:00-4:00. Orders begin on February 6^th at noon. 
• Irregardless Café in Raleigh, NC is offering a vegan and traditional 3 course dinner for two available for dine-in or curbside. Curbside must be pre-ordered and can be picked up hot on February 13^th and February 14^th.  

Mountains

• La Bodega by Cúrate, located in Asheville, NC is offering a Tapas for Two special available for takeout and local delivery.

 

For details about farms near these restaurants visit:  www.fork2farmer.com.

 

Written by: Izzy Norman, B.A. Political Science, UNC CH

[published in tandem at www.peoplefirsttourism.com]