Brookwood alumna opens organic farm stand

Staff Report
THOMASVILLE - For Brookwood alumna Mary Phipps ‘00, opening a permanent retail space at her farm has been years in the making. This past May, that dream came to fruition in the Orchard Pond Organics’ permanent farm stand. 

“As we saw the demand for fresh, organic, and local products continue to increase, we decided to give it a try,” shared Phipps. 

Orchard Pond is a family-owned, organic farm located in the Red Hills Region of Tallahassee, Fla. According to their Facebook page, they specialize in seasonal produce, raw honey, grass-fed beef and jerky, pesto and granola produced in their Certified Organic kitchen. In addition to selling products at the farm stand, they offer community garden plots and attend the Tallahassee Farmer’s Market each Saturday. They are members of the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance. 

Phipps is not new to the farming industry. She has worked in the farming and produce community for twelve years. Their Facebook page touts “good food and caring for the land are traditions that have been passed down for generations in our families.” 

When asked what sets their farm stand apart, Phipps elaborated, “We support as many local producers as possible.  One of our goals is to create a one-stop grocery shopping experience with products produced in our area. Our farm is USDA Certified Organic, which sets a high standard for everything we produce. We try to maintain that same standard of quality with all of the products we stock in the store.” Some of the local products they carry include Boonedocks Oyster Co., Florida Georgia Citrus, Red Eye Coffee + Tea, and Sweet Grass Dairy. 

Her time at Brookwood bolstered her preparedness not only for post-secondary education, but also for managing a business. “Brookwood gave me a great education that prepared me for college and life in general. I also believe participating in team sports transfers over to building a company team and working with others.”

The farm stand is located at 400 Cedar Hill Road in Tallahassee. They are open Wednesday through Saturday: Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Products are available in person and online for delivery within a 20-mile radius around Orchard Pond. Products are updated weekly on Tuesday afternoons. 
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Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.