When the idea of Amor Artis was first conceived, we knew that we wanted to be as truly local as possible. To us, this meant serving the local populace, hiring local faces, and using local ingredients. So it was only natural to use produce from Fort Mill’s very own Springs Farm to add local flavor to our brews! In summer 2017, we first used peaches and blackberries in our first contract sour brews to create the first wave of Springs Farm Peach and Springs Farm Blackberry Sours. Since then, we’ve used 3,750 pounds of strawberries, blackberries, peaches, and melons from the farm.

 

Springs Farm has been in operation since 1936, growing strawberries, blackberries, and other garden produce. They’ve grown to own 80 acres of peach tree orchards, fields, and greenhouses in York County. Its 17 employees work year round to yield some of the most delicious, beautiful crops in the area. A couple of weeks ago, the Springs Farm staff was kind enough to let our staff come out for a tour to see where it all happens! We took a field trip to see where this little farm (that sold 9,000 quarts of strawberries at the South Carolina Strawberry Festival last year!) gets it all done.

 

The farm is also where Ed Currie and PuckerButt Pepper Company grow their peppers! PuckerButt put Fort Mill on the world stage with his Guinness World Record-holding Carolina Reaper, the world’s hottest chili pepper. They have two greenhouses at Springs Farm dedicated to growing their army of sweat-inducing peppers. We were lucky enough to be at the farm while they were processing Carolina Reapers and their elusive “Pepper X” for an extract that’ll knock you off your feet.

 

So, what’s in the future for Springs Farm? They’ve recently acquired a permit to grow hemp plants to process into CBD! These little fellas will grow up to 5 feet tall, but they receive frequent visits from the FDA to keep everything regulated. Keep an eye out for their upcoming CBD products!

 

 

We’re proud to support local agriculture and cherish important relationships such as this in York County. Meeting the people behind the product is the best way to truly know what goes into each bit along the way. So, next time you cross the Peach Stand or Springs Farm Stand, make sure you pick up some groceries and say hello!