Where’s the Beef? … At Windhaven Farm, That’s Where
As part of our new series highlighting small business in and near our service territory, we’re pleased this month to feature Windhaven Farm in Windsor, Virginia. Windhaven Farm was founded more than 50 years ago by Pete and Marilyn Edwards; it now is run by their daughter Amy and her husband Kevin. Over the years, the farm has produced row crops (including cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and wheat) and raised beef cattle. Windhaven has developed into something of a tourist attraction as well as a distinctive business that includes a farm market.
Cultivating Customer Satisfaction
“We strive to produce an affordable, high-quality product that families can feel good about when feeding their families,” Amy told us. “Our logo is ‘Farm to Table.’ We want our customers to know where their beef was raised. All of our cattle were born and raised on the farm right here in Isle of Wight County. Currently we have about 130 cows, six bulls, 80 weaned calves and many young calves just born.”
One of the notable aspects of Windhaven Farm is the extent to which the business controls multiple stages of its operations.
“We make all of our feed for our cattle,” Amy says. “We bale our own hay, grow our own corn, and cut silage. The cattle business is a year-round job with always something to do, whether it be feeding hay and silage, weaning calves, mending fences, making feed, baling hay, repairing equipment, and the list goes on and on.”
As for the product of that labor, “We offer both grain-finished and grass-finished beef. The beef is free of hormones and antibiotics. Customers can purchase in bulk … a quarter, half or whole cow. Or they can purchase individual cuts – one steak, one roast, pound of ground beef, and so on – in the grain-finished beef. Our best sellers definitely include our ground beef and ribeye, T-Bone and Porterhouse steaks. Although recently, we have had a huge demand for beef suet (beef fat from around the kidneys). Customers use it to render into tallow and make skin care products.”
Customers across the region have taken notice—not just for the quality of the beef, but for the values that come with it.
“Windhaven Farm isn’t just where we buy our beef—they provide peace of mind and real food," said Jessica Parr, Manager of Communications at Community Electric Cooperative. “You know exactly where your food is coming from, and you can feel the care and integrity behind it. Supporting Windhaven and other local famers means supporting local agriculture, local families, and a legacy built on hard work.”
Forging Family Connections
As one might expect, the passion that led to the creation of Windhaven Farm is something that doesn’t fade easily. “In 2021, I took over the business from my parents hoping they would slow down and enjoy so-called retirement,” Amy says. “But they are both still heavily involved in the daily operations of managing the cattle and running the market. I don’t think they will ever really retire.”
The family is rightly proud of its standing in the community and of the relationships that have grown along the way.
“The community has always supported our business and, over the years, we have provided support to the county fair, sports teams and church fundraising events,” Amy notes. “We have many customers who live locally, but we also have regular customers from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach to Prince George. We hope our customers feel welcomed when they visit the farm. I enjoy meeting the new people who visit our market or who participate in one of our monthly drop-offs. We have quite a few customers that have been with us since the beginning, and they have become friends.”