News / Oliver Farm

The Georgia Crafted Peaches (and mini-Peaches) are loading up and having one last Explore Georgia adventure before Summer 2020 ends.

We're excited to have new and updated gift boxes coming for this holiday season! Today, we're revealing the first one:

The Southern Baking Kit

We created this gift box full of Georgia-made treats for anyone who loves to bake. This would be especially thoughtful as a gift for a new home owner, a family who bakes with their kids, or as a host gift.

Here's what's inside:

Chocolate Chewy Square Mix
Dr. Pete's, Savannah, GA

Dr. Pete's Savannah-made mix bakes up into fudgy squares, like the best brownies you've ever tasted. All you need to add is butter and an egg.

Pecan Flour
Oliver Farm, Pitts, GA

This gluten-free flour has a variety of uses in baking. We've shared a Triple Chocolate Pecan Brownie recipe. You can find even more recipes on the Oliver Farm website's recipe page.

Pecan Oil
Oliver Farm, Pitts, GA

Another favorite from Oliver Farm, this Pecan Oil can be used for baking, or even for frying chicken. And if you didn't catch it, the New York Times recently featured Clay Oliver of Oliver Farms for his artisanal Green Peanut Oil. 

Peach Cobbler Mix
Lane Southern Orchard, Fort Valley, GA

Make a Georgia classic peach cobbler, with this Georgia-made mix. Bakes up with fresh, canned, or frozen peaches, so you can enjoy it any time of year.

Banana Bread Mix
Back to the Basics 101, Cochran, GA

This banana bread mix was a Finalist in the 2016 Flavor of Georgia competition! The first ingredient is 100% whole wheat flour. This soft wheat flour is grown on a family farm and stone-ground, right here in GA. 

Whip It Good tea towel
French Silver, Marietta, GA

"Whip it. Whip it good." This towel from French Silver in Marietta, GA, will bring a little humor to your kitchen. The design is printed on a 100% cotton, soft & absorbent flour sack towel—great for drying dishes.

You can purchase this baking gift box on our site here: Southern Baking Kit.

We featured delicious, gluten free Oliver Farm Pecan Flour in our August subscription box. Have you used yours yet? You can also buy a bag of this Pecan Flour in our shop, whether you missed out in August or you're ready to buy more.

Here's a great way to use that Pecan Flour: Clay at Oliver Farms sent over a decadent pecan flour brownie recipe. With triple chocolate and double pecans (and 2 sticks of butter, y'all!), these brownies promise to be a truly special treat.

Pecan Flour Brownies

These pecan flour brownies are a rich, triple-chocolate treat—perfect for a special occasion. Top with vanilla ice cream for an even-sweeter treat!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)

• 1/4 cup Oliver Farms Pecan Flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup toasted pecan halves, finely chopped

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into pieces

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350º F.

2. Coat a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray, and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, pecan flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

4. Gently melt chopped semisweet chocolate, unsweet chocolate, and butter together in a medium bowl over simmering water, or in a microwaveable bowl. Cool to lukewarm.

5. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the lukewarm chocolate mixture while whisking, then allow to cool to room temperature.

6. Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

7. Pour into prepared pan.

8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating once during baking, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Do not overbake.

9. Cool on a rack before cutting.

These brownies can be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container. Best eaten within 3 days.

Recipe courtesy of Oliver Farm, via Dede Wilson on bakepedia.

Welcome to the very first edition of our new "Meet the Artisan" series! We'll be introducing you to the artisans, makers, farmers and more who create the products you love, right here in Georgia. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know them, just like having a chat with a vendor at your local farmers' market.

To kick off the series, we're excited to interview Clay Oliver. Clay is the farmer behind Oliver Farm, makers of award-winning artisan oils and the fantastic Pecan Flour featured in our August subscription box.

Hi Clay!  Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you and your family.

"My name is Clay Oliver.  I am a fifth generation farmer from Pitts, GA.  My wife, Valerie, and I have two girls.  Maggie is the oldest and is ten.  Mollie is eight.  We make cold pressed, unrefined, non-GMO oils and gluten-free flours.  We press and bottle everything here on our GA Centennial Farm.  Oliver Farm is a family farm.  My mother Jurice, and brother Clint Oliver focus on the row crop and cattle operation."

When did you launch your company? Tell us why you decided to launch.

"During the midst of the economic downturn beginning in 2008, I began researching the possibility of on-farm biofuel production.  By 2012, I had decided to try making cold pressed culinary oils from seeds and nuts either grown on the farm or sourced locally.  I formed Oliver Oil Co in 2013."

Since you launched, what would you consider to be your most successful product?

"To date, we have made oil from eleven different seeds and nuts.  The most popular have been the 2015 Good Food Award winning Pecan Oil, our estate grown Sunflower Oil, and the 2016 Good Food winner Green Peanut Oil.  These oils were chosen as Garden and Gun's Made in the South Food category winner in 2015.  Of our flours, the Pecan Flour has been the most popular."

What has been a true highlight of launching your business?

"There have been many highlights in launching this business.  That special gratification that comes from seeing a dream come to fruition, accolades for our products, recognition from the state of GA for our innovation and bringing attention to our great state, but I am most proud of the fact that Valerie and I are able to work together every day at something we both enjoy." 

I am most proud of the fact that Valerie and I are able to work together everyday at something we both enjoy.

- Clay Oliver

Do you have any new products coming out soon?  If so, can you give us a hint?

"We are now offering Pumpkin Seed Oil and Benne Seed Oil and their gluten free flours year round.  I have also done a little with hemp seed oil and flour.  I have not opened it up for retail sales, just some R and D to chefs."

Thank you, Clay, for sharing your story with Georgia Crafted! 

You can order BOTH the Pecan Oil and Pecan Flour on our website! We will ship within 24 hours (inventory permitting)