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Embrace Farm offers pasture-raised poultry, eggs at Columbus Farmers Market

 

COLUMBUS—Embrace Farm PMA, owned and operated by Gordon and Elizabeth Ellison of Inman, is one of the newest vendors at the Columbus Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at 40 Courthouse Square. 

Gordon ventured into the world of organic, pasture-raised poultry in 2022 and transformed his passion for farming into a thriving business. Embracing the principles of free-range farming, he emphasizes the humane treatment of his animals, utilizing electric netting to protect them from predators.

Relocating from Ohio nearly 20 years ago, Ellison settled in South Carolina, where he noticed a yearning within himself to return to the roots of farming. 

Having initially come from a background in industrial machine installation and maintenance, Ellison found inspiration from his childhood and a pivotal trip to a farm in Virginia.

“After attending a two-day event there, I said, ‘We can do this,’” Ellison recalls. “I got tired of spending 17 years in a cubicle,” he shared. His love for agriculture led to the establishment of his farm, “Embrace,” which represents his and his wife’s belief in stewardship of the gifts provided by God through creation.

A unique aspect of Embrace is its setup as a private membership association, which allows the farm to operate outside of the public domain. Currently, the farm focuses on processing chickens and turkeys directly on-site, adhering to methods that prioritize quality and humane treatment over mass production. 

“Embrace Farm is different; we believe in doing things the way our grandparents probably did with respect and dignity for the animals,” he stated. 

In addition to poultry, Embrace also sells eggs, which often sell out quickly due to demand. Their products are known for being humanely raised, organic, and hand-processed, appealing to local consumers who want to support sustainable practices. 

“It’s an opportunity for people to buy local and support a model that respects the land and the animals,” Ellison adds.

To learn more, visit embracefarmpma.com.