Thad and Gayle Montgomery are the husband-and-wife team behind Double M Dairy in Wirtz. They each represent the sixth generation of dairy farmers and are raising a 7th in their six children. They recently opened Melvin’s Farm to Fork Store on their farm, where you can buy locally sourced foods and home goods. In fact, it’s so local that all the beef, pork, eggs, and honey are produced on their property! They round out their inventory with local products from 27 other vendors.
In addition to farming and running a business, Gayle and Thad homeschool their kids, believing that the best thing a farm raises is the children that grow up there. When you’re in the neighborhood be sure to visit their store and plan to linger—they love connecting you to your food!
What part of Franklin County do you live in? How long have you lived there?
We live on a gorgeous piece of farmland in Wirtz Virginia. The farm is actually on the property where Thad grew up!
What’s your favorite part about living in Franklin County?
We love farm life and the rural atmosphere.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Running a farm is time-consuming but we love to travel when we can!
What’s your favorite place in Franklin County?
Our farm 🙂 Our conventional dairy operation has evolved over the years and is now the home of Sweet Land Farm’s Raw A2 Herdshare cows, Melvin’s Farm to Fork Store, and the prettiest view you could ever ask for.
What’s your go-to conversation starter?
Food! We’re passionate about where our food comes from. Our produce is 100% locally grown and our livestock is never fed with GMOs. We love sharing our knowledge about real food and its healing benefits with others.
What advice do you have for finding or meeting new people?
Have confidence and be friendly. Remember, a new friendship can be born from the next person you introduce yourself to!
What does #FranklinCountyShines mean to you?
Our county shines with its rich history, agriculture, and hospitality.
Franklin County Shines is a series about the people and places that make Franklin County one of the best places to live, work, and play. #FranklinCountyShines