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ISSUE NO. 43 • October 24, 2024 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
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Milk production farm became so much more during aftermath of Hurricane Helene Story by Jean Gordon Photos by Jean Gordon & Contributed
Almost a year before Hurricane Helene brought destruction to Rutherford County and western North Carolina, Stuart Beam and Preston Green, began a Jersey milk operation on Beam’s family farm in Harris. They went to Mills River and moved 67
Preston Green and Stuart Beam at the milk production location.
cows to Forest City to begin their milk production business. Six months ago on March 1, the farmers began bottling milk at their creamery at the old Harris School. Big Bottom Milk Company first began bottling whole white milk, then chocolate, peach, strawberry, buttermilk and others. The milk can be bought in Drop In stores and many other stores and areas in Rutherford and surrounding counties. But when Hurricane Helene hit and devastated so much of Rutherford County, including farm land and many were left in dire need of water, Big Bottom Milk Company began bottling water, while still running their milk creamy. There were days when the farmers asked for help from volunteers as they were bottling water into the late, late hours after a long, long day of milk bottling. In the midst of trying to run the business, Stuart and Preston weren’t just bottling milk and getting it to communities and stores that had power during the aftermath of the storm, they were also getting farmers the hay and fencing supplies they needed, transporting the supplies to hard hit areas in the county and across western North Carolina, in desperate need. “We are both fielding lots of calls and texts and doing our best to get products where they are needed,” Stuart said. Stuart’s mother, Carolina Edwards said they worked all hours of the day with the farmers and trying to help others. A community of people have come together to help, Stuart said. Stuart grew up on the farm belonging to his grandparents, Edith Edwards and the late Henry Edwards and his parents. “He was going to be a farmer from day one,” says his mom Caroline of his farm, Beam Farms & Co.
Preston Green at the milking barn.
During the storm Stuart was receiving hay at his farm and getting it to communities in need during the height of the storm. A fuel relief fund was begun. Their wives, children, family and friends all jumped in to help in any way possible. Preston came to Rutherford County about six years ago from Wisconsin, Two of the newest jersey calves. born into a milk production family. “I’ve been milking cows since I was a child,” he said, then admitted he had never hand-milked a cow, but he’s milked hundreds with the modern day milking machinery. “This has been the most rewarding business,” Preston said. “We are building something together, something we can leave our families,” Preston said. The Beam and Green families are focusing their business on beef and dairy in an effort to support the agricultural industry in the Carolinas and throughout the southeast. “Our families promise to deliver wholesome and high-quality products, provide excellence service and work tirelessly to preserve the small family Natalie Beam with daughter Josie, waiting for a fresh bottle of chocolate milk, with farm community...Our goal is to ensure the longevity of the family farm Mackenzie Murray, a creamery employee. for future generations,” they said. Just a week after Hurricane Helene, Preston Green wrote, “Our community has been ravaged by this storm but so many people and businesses have come out in support and allowed me to witness what true patriotism, love, and genuine care is about. Every day this week we have bottled water well into the night and people that have all been hurt by the storm, all have trees down in their yard, on their houses, have no power, or running water, have lost so much have banded together to not just help bottle water, but clear roads and driveways, volunteer to help others, run into the flames for their A jersey cow down on the farm. fellow man/woman and never once stopped to think about themselves. feelings that we have this week and Dropped their problems and picked up use them to fuel that selflessness that the cross and marched up that hill. I is deep down...that fuels our spirit and have witnessed true sacrifice. helps us continue down this path. This My only hope is that this spirit never road is going to be long but work has fades. My hope is that we all keep the just begun.”
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