Direct Descendant Rabbitry and Apiary (DDRA) is a unique micro urban farm owned by Charity Smith, an Air Force veteran with a deep-rooted passion for agriculture. Hailing from Bladenboro, NC, Charity formed her interest in agriculture under the influence of her grandfather and other family members.
Direct Descendant Rabbitry and Apiary pays homage to her late father, who cherished rabbits and all things sweet. Charity's farm is situated in the close-knit Arcadia community, surrounded by friends and neighbors.
As a first-generation farmer, Charity specializes in raising Californian, New Zealand White, and TAMUK rabbits primarily for meat production. These rabbits are not only incredibly robust and attractive, but their captivating presence often captivates passersby. However, please note that for safety reasons, visitors are not permitted to pet the rabbits.
Direct Descendant has been recognized for its innovation, having received grants from the Farmer Veteran Coalition Fellowship Fund and the NC AgVentures Grant Program. Moreover, the farm boasts the distinction of being the sole permitted rabbit manure compost facility in North Carolina, accredited by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. Charity's dedication has earned her the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label for BunnyBioGro™, making her composted rabbit manure the exclusive product of its kind in the United States. Rabbit manure is renowned for its effectiveness as a fertilizer, owing to its rich composition of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, vital for optimal plant health.
Charity's farm provides a delightful opportunity for a short visit, offering enlightening tours that provide insight into her practices of running a small urban micro farm, including rabbit care, self-sustainability, and cultivating homegrown produce. Charity's expertise also extends to vermiculture and soil improvement techniques through worm composting. Her focus on practical self-sustainability methods aims to assist individuals in establishing thriving homesteads within urban settings. DDRA includes a small apiary with three varieties of honey bees, emphasizing sustainable beekeeping practices.
Rabbits hold a special place in the hearts of nearly everyone, evoking childhood memories and fond recollections. Charity warmly invites guests to share their own rabbit stories, as she delights in exchanging experiences and weaving her own narratives with visitors.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
WHAT TO DO - RAIN OR SHINE
Guided tours run every 30 minutes on the half hour.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
Bee Hunt
Water Painting
Bee watching - that's right watch our bees come and go as they bring in pollen and nectar
GUEST VENDORS:
PRODUCTS
Rabbit Meat
BunnyBioGro™ - Organic composted rabbit manure
Honey
WHAT TO BRING:
Sunhat
Sunscreen
Cooler (for all the delicious items you will purchase)
Comfortable shoes
LOCATION: 118 Cameron Rd, Lexington, North Carolina 27295, USA