The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts a 40% increase in egg prices in 2025, with Bird Flu as the major cause.
“I knew that prices were rising, but I wasn’t expecting to check out and see my dozen eggs cost $7.50. Poor college kids. We don’t have a ton of money to spend on groceries. To check out and see that is kinda frustrating since eggs are kinda like a staple food,” said Hannah McCrory, Baylor sophomore.
However, Mustard Seed Farm owner Amanda Hubbell said that she and other local farmers haven’t seen any cases of bird flu locally, and they “don’t worry about it.” This has allowed them to keep the prices of their eggs and chicken meat the same. Hubbell charges $5 for one dozen naturally raised eggs, and people are flocking to the farm seeking those lower prices.
“It’s people that are driving 30-45 minutes to come get the eggs because [of] the discount. But they are now afraid of what is in the chicken or how the egg is processed, and the recalls you are starting to see on the news as well. You don’t get that on family farms,” Hubbell said.
Yet beyond providing a cheaper option for eggs, Hubbell’s family farm provides something that can’t be found in the aisles of a grocery store.
“It’s all about the community. It’s about feeding people. It’s about building a fellowship with the local community,” she said.
That mission is the foundation of Mustard Seed Farm. What started as simply selling jellies and jams to fundraise for new equipment for the local fire department has now turned into a booming business. Hubbell said the farm storefront was originally intended to be a sewing room but she converted it into an area where she can sell her products, including beef, chicken, quail, soaps, jams, jellies, and other canned goods.
“I never expected all of this to happen in the way it did. I was a city slicker from Dallas, and now I know every cut of meat from a cow,” she said, laughing.
As an outsider to the community, Hubbell said her business has provided her an opportunity to connect with locals and foster relationships.
“I love that people can come in here and share their stories. They don’t just come in here and pick up a few things and then leave. There are some chairs in here and it’s so you can sit down and you can visit for a while and you can tell some of your stories,” she said.
While Hubbell has built a nest of her own within the four walls of her storefront, the farm’s mission extends beyond the farm grounds into community outreach projects. Mustard Seed Farm’s vegetable garden uses a “pay your own price” system where customers pick their donation amount. All proceeds are used to fund local children’s summer camps, many of which are for the church or special needs individuals. Hubbell also said they raffle off boxes full of beef, and all proceeds are donated to community members in emergencies.
“It is all a part of our ministry. That’s where Mustard Seed Farm comes from, in the book of Matthew. Everything we do is for our true mission, and that’s helping the community and our ministry,” she said.
Mustard Seed Farm is located at 1086 Heritage Pkwy in Axtell, Texas. For more information on hours and products, visit https://www.facebook.com/theredshedtexas/
This story was produced by Baylor Student Abbey Ferguson and is part of the Baylor University Student Journalism Collaboration with KWBU.