A CONVERSATION WITH JAY & AMBER DeSIMONE
Q: How Did 840 Farm Come About?
A: We didn’t initially set out to create a farm. Jay, a Chicago suburbanite, and Amber, a native Texan with 4-H roots, met in Dallas while pursuing corporate careers. After starting a family, we wanted to give our boys a childhood with outdoor adventures, and purchased 13 acres in Waxahachie in the fall of 2019. During the pandemic, we felt immensely grateful to God for our move and felt inspired to homestead. We initially started with chickens — quickly a new coop was built — thus starting 840 Farm.
Q: What does 840 Farm Specialize In?
A: Today, 840 Farm specializes in pasture-raised Mangalitsa pork, a rare heritage breed from Hungary often called the “Kobe beef of pork”. However, we also produce poultry and lamb. We believe that allowing the animals to roam freely in the sun produces superior products. We offer traditional pork, chicken, and lamb cuts, but our line of seven different salami flavors is particularly popular. One of our most sought-after products is the unique “coppa steak” a marbled cut near the pig shoulder that sells out quickly every time it’s stocked. The Mangalitsa is incredibly unique and the coppa steak is the echelon of what this animal produces.
Q: What Makes 840 Farm Unique Compared to Other Farms?
A: It’s our dedication to the health and well-being of our animals and land. Any supplemental feed is a non-GMO, soy-free, and corn-free blend created with the help of an animal nutritionist and biologist. We’re among the largest and most sought-after Mangalitsa producers in Texas. We give these animals the utmost care, which starts with healthy food, clean water, and pasture rotation. The pasture rotation and the variety of animals on our lands helps keep soils healthy and fertile. Regarding soil, Amber has been taking online schooling focusing on soil health without the use of synthetic additives because we believe healthy soils are the cornerstone to everything else we do.–
Q: Who Works at 840 Farm?
A: Jay is a full-time farmer, while Amber balances her corporate career with the responsibilities of the farm. Our two boys help when they get home from school, and 840 Farm also provides experience to local high school students who are eager to earn some extra money.
Q: How Do You Connect With Your Customers?
A: We initially began selling at Saint Michael’s Farmers Market in Dallas in 2021, where we quickly built a very loyal customer base. It truthfully feels amazing to hear things like “This is the best meat I’ve ever had!” It never gets old.
Q: Where Can Customers Find Your Products?
A: Currently, 840 Farm’s products can conveniently be purchased at our online store (840farm.com) for on-farm pickup or shipping. The Dove’s Nest also carries our salami, and next year all of our products will be available at our new venture, a butcher shop and gourmet market called “The Blind Pig” (theblindpigbutcher.com) located at 814 Water Street in Waxahachie.
Q: What Are Your Future Plans for 840 Farm?
A: Our vision extends beyond the farm. Through the restoration of the historic Catfish Plantation, we intend to further our passion for quality, clean food with new offerings, services, and community experiences. By partnering with local businesses and focusing on exceptional products, we want 840 Farm to be more than just a local farm. Our focus has really evolved to the enrichment of the Waxahachie community by being able to provide good, clean, healthy foods through the farm, and a place to enjoy them with friends and family at The Blind Pig.
