OUR STORY
Ivy Native Starts Family-Owned Farm
Tilman Turkeys got its start in 2018 when the Schwartz family moved back to Charlottesville from the DC area. The family started their farm in Ivy on Tilman Road, not far from where owner/founder, Colin, grew up. Colin earned his degree at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and has spent many years in the back of the house of some of your favorite Charlottesville restaurants. After a brief stint in Alexandria, Virginia where Colin was the Sous Chef for The Evening Star Cafe, he and his wife, Katie, returned to Charlottesville to raise their two children and start Tilman Farm.
ABOUT OUR FARM
As avid Cville foodies, we long dreamed of being a part of the vibrant local food scene and giving back to the community that taught us how quality ingredients grown right in your backyard simply taste better. It's that experience of tasting the difference that guides our farming practices. We raise our turkeys with care, giving them plenty of access to fresh pasture and space to roam. Unlike factory farm birds that are often grown in enclosed spaces and processed before they ever see sunlight, Tilman Turkeys are given a full 6+ months to grow to maturity.
We believe great food isn't just about the quality of the ingredients or careful preparation, but also about the experience of sharing a meal with loved ones and the memories you create in the process. We're honored to be a small part of your family's holiday traditions and provide the centerpiece for a memorable meal.
