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Date:  October 13, 2020 For Immediate Release           Contact:  Margaret Hambrick        or Julian Arbaugh     304-646-2439                     304-645-6216 Arbaugh Farm Grist Mill On   Old Asbury   Road,   a   young   farmer   is   using   a   century-old   grist   mill   to   grind   corn   grown   on   a   century-old farm   established   by   his   great-grandfather.   Julian   Arbaugh   had   not   planned   to   operate   a   grist   mill,   but when   he   and   his   father   were   visiting   a   family   friend   in   Raleigh   County,   they   were   shown   a   circa   1920   grist mill   the   friend   had   reconditioned.   When   the   friend   offered   to   sell   the   mill, Arbaugh   decided   on   the   spot   to purchase the mill; that was fifteen years ago. The   mill   at Arbaugh   Farm   is   powered   by   a   large   flywheel   on   a   John   Deere   tractor. The   mill   stones   are   pink granite. The   mill   produces   authentic   stone   ground   meal.      Stone   ground   meal   is   considered   more   nutritious than   meal   ground   by   steel   rollers,   in   part   because   the   germ   and   the   husk   are   retained.   Stone   ground   meal should be refrigerated to maintain freshness. Arbaugh grinds both cornmeal and grits. Last   year,   Arbaugh   grew   Bloody   Butcher   corn   and   white   corn   for   this   year's   cornmeal   and   grits.   Bloody Butcher   is   an   heirloom   variety,   grown   primarily   in   the   Appalachian   Mountains,   since   at   least   1845.   When ground,   the   red   and   white   appearance   is   said   to   resemble   a   butcher's   blood-flecked   apron.   White   corn produces   a   high-quality   product,   with   taste   and   texture   superior   to   yellow   corn.   Arbaugh   said,   “You   can use   white   cornmeal   to   make   pancakes,   and   they   will   be   as   fluffy   as   Bisquick   pancakes.   The   only   problem is many of my customers think cornmeal should be yellow.” He hopes people will try the white cornmeal. Until   last   year,   the   grist   mill   was   displayed   for   working   demonstrations   at   community   events   and   small festivals.   Now,   Arbaugh   is   putting   his   gristmill   to   work   at   the   farm.   He   sells   his   cornmeal,   grits,   and "Company   Cornmeal   Mix"   at   the Alderson   Community   Market   (Tuesdays   3   to   6   pm),   Courthouse   Farmers Market   in   Lewisburg   (Saturdays   8   am   to   1   pm),   White   Sulphur   Springs   Farmers   Market   (Thursdays   3   to 6:30 pm), and through Turnrow, the Appalachian Farm Collective ( www.turnrowfarms.org ). At   Arbaugh   Farm,   Julian   and   his   father   also   raise   Angus   beef   cattle   and   sorghum.   This   is   their   third   year of   raising,   pressing,   boiling   down,   and   selling   sorghum   molasses.   Molasses   is   made   in   October,   and   is Arbaugh   Farm's   best-selling   product.      Fawn   Valentine,   co-manager   of   the   Alderson   Community   Market, said,   “You   have   to   be   quick   to   get   some   of   the   molasses.      Those   bottles   ‘go   like   hotcakes’   here!”      If   you cannot   find   Arbaugh   at   one   of   the   markets,   you   can   call   him   at   304-645-6216   to   arrange   to   buy   his products. Photos: Julian Arbaugh at the Alderson Community Market The circa 1920 grist meal and John Deere tractor used to grind the corn.