Waterberry Farm is owned by Harold and Carol Hackman. The farm is best known for growing its produce (strawberries, lettuce, rhubarb and tomatoes) using the organic growing system of hydroponics. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. Hydroponics systems help produce plants that exhibit maximum yield, flavor, vitamins and essential oil content.
This unassuming little farm in Slocumb, Ala., offers a fantastic retreat with delicious food and “down home” country fellowship with its Farmer’s Table Dinner experience. The Farmer’s Table Dinner welcomes anyone (with reservations of course) to an evening of casual dining under the farm sky, with a deliciously prepared meal of fresh foods cooked on-site by a professional chef.
The Farmer’s Table Dinner was the brainchild of two of the Hackman’s daughters, Pamela and Paula, who both have experience in the restaurant industry. Pamela graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and worked with Frank Stitt of Birmingham’s Highlands Bar and Grill.
When asked how the idea for the Farmer’s Table Dinner came about, Pamela states, “It is something that has just developed. We really wanted to help promote the farm, Alabama and its produce, and everything it has to offer. The idea of a Farmer’s Table Dinner is actually something that is done quite regularly in other parts of the country, but Alabama has not had anything like it … until now.” Pamela described it best by stating, “I think that more than anything this is an experience. It is about getting back to nature and the root of things, and just having an experience.”
Dining Experience
Waterberry Farm began hosting its Farmer’s Table Dinners in April of 2009. The atmosphere is casual with a row of tables in the middle of a farm pasture set with white tablecloths, and adorned with garden flowers in old fashioned milk jugs.
The family-style dining gives way to fabulous food. Previous menus have included grilled flank steak with portabella mushrooms and fresh Alabama shrimp skewers. Accompanying side dishes such as blue cheese potato salad with apple wood smoked bacon, grilled Slocomb corn-on-the-cob with basil butter, summer grilled vegetables with picnic vinaigrette, and Waterberry Farm green salad with purple radish and white French dressing.
Don’t forget dessert
Past dessert tables have included an assortment of homemade desserts to choose from including strawberry and blueberry sorbet (with Waterberry Farm strawberries and blueberries of course); fried peach pies; blueberry tarts; rhubarb cake; sour cream apple pie; mixed berry crisp; and cherry cobbler.
Reservations
Call 334.886.2454 or email waterberryhydrofarm@yahoo.com for dinner reservations.
