Summer Farm Events Guide: Open Days, Pickup Windows & Markets in Brookhaven, Mississippi

Summer in Brookhaven, Mississippi is farm season. The pasture is green, the chickens are out on grass, the bees are in the clover, and the farm is open for visitors more weeks of the year than any other season. This guide is the single page that covers every way to come out in 2026 — pasture open days, next-flock pickup windows, and the Brookhaven farmers markets we attend each week.

If you are local, you are welcome here. If you are driving in from Jackson, Hattiesburg, or the coast, this is what to expect when you arrive.

What Summer Looks Like on the Farm

From late May through August, the day-old chicks from the spring brooders are out on pasture in their mobile tractors. Every flock moves to a fresh strip of grass every single day, so the pasture is a patchwork of light green (just-grazed) and dark green (resting) that you'll see as you pull in.

The bees are working the clover and wildflower strips. The garden beds are producing — squash, tomatoes, peppers, okra, herbs. The ducks have their own pond. The farm dogs are out, and they will absolutely greet you at the gate.

If you visit during a working weekday morning, you will likely see us moving chicken tractors, refilling water, or pulling weeds. That is the point. This is a working farm, not a petting zoo — and the working part is what you came to see.

Summer Open Pasture Days

The biggest recurring event of the season is Open Pasture Day, held the first Saturday of every month from June through August (June 6, July 4, August 1, 2026). Hours are 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

What to expect:
- Walk the pasture loop with us, see the chickens in their tractors, and watch us move a flock to fresh ground.
- Tour the brooder, the processing area (cold storage and packaging), and the bee yard from a safe distance.
- Sample honey pulled from the spring harvest, and pick up one of our pasture-raised chickens or half-shares if you reserved in advance.
- Meet the dogs. The dogs are very important.

Parking: Pull into the gravel drive off Highway 51 South and follow the signs to the pasture gate. The grass lot holds about 30 cars. If we are full, park along the fence row on the right side of the drive. Do not block the chicken-loading area — that is the wide pad on the left of the barn.

What to bring: Closed-toe shoes (it is a pasture — there are bees, ants, and uneven ground). Water and a hat. A cooler if you want to take a fresh chicken home. Cash or Venmo if you want to grab honey on the spot; cards work in the chicken-pre-order pickup line.

What to leave at home: Pets (working dogs only — your dog will not enjoy the farm dog). Open-toed sandals. Expectation of a manicured lawn. You are visiting a working pasture.

Next-Flock Pickup Windows

Twice a year we run a full next-flock pre-order cycle: spring pickup in late May, and the larger summer pickup the second full weekend of August. The summer 2026 pickup window is August 15–16, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM – noon at the farm.

This is when everyone who pre-ordered a whole, half, or split-half chicken picks up. We weigh each bird fresh at pickup, you pay $5/lb at that final weight, and the event happens in the same covered loading area we use for Open Days.

If you reserved a share of the next flock: Watch your email the week before for a signed confirmation note with the exact map pin and the door to use. We text the morning of pickup when fresh birds are out of the chiller and on the table.

If you want to reserve for this round: Pre-orders for the August flock close 48 hours before pickup opens, or when each share tier sells out, whichever comes first. Use the next-flock reservation page to lock in your spot — refundable deposit, holds your share.

If you have never reserved and want to walk in on pickup weekend, we almost always have a small over-count for walk-ups. Come early, plan to wait in line, and bring a cooler. We cannot promise a bird — but we can usually find one.

Brookhaven Farmers Markets

We attend two markets weekly during summer, and a third one monthly:

Brookhaven Farmers Market — every Saturday, 8:00 AM – noon, in the Brookhaven High School parking lot (901 Brookway Boulevard). This is our biggest market. Look for the green Homestead Whittington Farm tent on the south end of the lot. Eggs, honey, pantry staples, cookbooks, and a small chicken allotment (cash + Venmo, no cards).

Lincoln County Market — every Wednesday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, downtown on the square. Smaller market, smaller crowd, easier parking. Honey and eggs only — no chicken at this one.

Mississippi Craft Market — first Saturday of each month, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, in Jackson at the Old Capitol. We rotate through this one — check our stories page the week of, or subscribe at the bottom of the homepage, to find out which market days we are attending.

Markets sell out fast. If you want to make sure we have what you are after, send a note the day before and we will set it aside.

How to Plan Your Visit

If you have not been to the farm before, here is the simplest plan:

1. Pick an Open Pasture Day (first Saturday of the month, June through August) if you want the full tour. Pull in any time between 9 AM and noon — there is no formal start time, and we run the walk-through continuously.
2. If you came for chicken, reserve in advance for the August pickup window. Walk-in pickup is not guaranteed.
3. If you came for honey and eggs with a side of conversation, hit the Brookhaven Farmers Market on Saturday morning. The market is a 15-minute drive from the farm, so a market morning plus a quick pasture drive-by is a great weekend plan.
4. Wear closed-toe shoes. Bring a cooler. Leave the dog at home.

What to Bring Home

Every visit you can pick up:

- Pasture-raised chicken — whole, half, or split-half, $5/lb by final weight. Reserve ahead for the next flock, or grab a walk-up at markets.
- Raw honey — local Mississippi wildflower and clover honey, in 12 oz and 24 oz jars. Available at open days and markets.
- Eggs — limited supply, our hens are still building the flock. At Open Days and the Saturday market, while supplies last.
- Pantry staples — stone-ground cornmeal, non-GMO grits, heritage flour, and a rotating cast-iron skillet drop from our cooking collection.
- Wellness goods — beeswax candles, tallow balm, and the items from our homestead lifestyle shelf.

FAQ From First-Time Visitors

Is the farm kid-friendly? Yes. Kids see chickens, bees from a safe distance, and the garden. Keep them close around the bee yard and the tractor-loading area. We do not charge for kids.

Can I bring a group? Yes — schools, homeschool co-ops, garden clubs, and small friend groups are all welcome. Email us a week ahead so we can plan a walk-through slot.

Are the chickens alive when I visit? Yes. We move them in the morning at open days. You will see a flock mid-move, which is the best part.

Are dogs allowed? No. Our working dogs are on duty and your dog will not enjoy a pasture full of chickens. Service animals are welcome.

What if it rains? Open Pasture Days run rain or shine unless there is lightning in the area. If we cancel for lightning, we will post on the stories page by 7:30 AM the day of, and notify everyone on the email list.

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Reserve Your Spot for the Next Flock

The next-flock pre-order opens weekly as shares release. Drop your name and email below and we will let you know the moment pre-orders open. No spam, ever — only the flock-launch note when shares are live.

Reserve Your Spot for the Next Flock