Dark Water Ranch brings organically grown variety of produce, goat milk soaps

Mar. 25—From egg-shaped cucumbers to pumpkin-shaped watermelons, Dark Water Ranch offers its customers something a little different.

Phillip Anneler, who runs the Ninnekah farm alongside his mother Regina Anneler, said they specialize in offering heritage breeds of different fruits and vegetables.

Dark Water Ranch grows farmer's market staples such as tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon and various squashes. However, patrons may also find Star of David okra, which looks like the symbol when cut open as well as Silver Lady okra which is white instead of the traditional green.

Adjacent to Rush Springs, area residents may be spoiled for choice when it comes to watermelon. However, Dark Water Ranch grows a heritage breed called Moon and Stars which is a dark-skinned melon that is covered in yellow spots. The Royal Golden watermelon has bright orange skin with ridges, similar to a pumpkin. Another big hit is the El Gordo cantaloupe which can grow as big as a basketball and weighs up to 20 pounds.

Many people go to farmer's markets for farm fresh tomatoes. Dark Water Ranch carries a variety including Early Girls, Cherokee Purples and Beefsteak tomatoes. One breed of their Beefsteak tomatoes is solid white, Anneler said.

Dark Water Ranch also has a variety of cucumbers including a Dragon's Egg which is white and shaped like a goose egg. Anneler said these tend to have a lot more water in them as well. They also sometimes have Armenian cucumbers which can grow two to three feet long. Anneler said people often use these to make candied cucumber rings.

Dark Water Ranch is also populated with a variety of animals including sheep, goats, turkeys, ducks, chickens, mini-pigs, quails and rabbits. One pen holds a trio of miniature horses and a donkey whose names are Bob, Trigger and Liberty.

While Dark Water Ranch is not certified organic, they do grow produce using organic methods, Anneler said.

"I don't like chemicals at all," Anneler said. "They cause so many problems."

For pest control, they use natural methods like neem or peppermint oil or ground turmeric to keep pests away. The farm may also grow companion plants together that draw in the desirable insects while they repel pests. For example, lavender flowers repel scorpions, Anneler said.

Anneler has also had some luck with "electroculture," which uses the earth's electromagnetic field. He tested this out by wrapping some copper wire around a stick and growing it alongside some peppers. He said the pepper plants grew significantly taller with triple the yield.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself," he said.

"We try to do the farming the best way we can to honor God and we always seem to have the best luck and fortune doing it that way. As long as we do that everything seems to fall into place," he said.

Dark Water Ranch also offers a variety of farm fresh products such as eggs from chickens and ducks, goat milk soap, dog treats and pet products.

There are a few different ways to get produce from Dark Water Ranch. They will bring their awning-covered shade trailer to the Chickasha Farmer's Market on Thursdays. On Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, they can be found at the Lawton Farmer's Market.

People in the area may also sign up for a Fresh Pickens subscription. Customers will be sent an order form on Sunday to be filled out and returned by Monday at noon. The form will list what goods are available. Pickup is available at the farmer's markets or at designated locations. Learn more and sign up at darkwaterranch.com.

The produce is cleaned and stored in a cooler at Dark Water Ranch in preparation for the Fresh Pickens baskets as well as the produce that will go to market. Anneler said the farm prides itself on bringing the best quality to their customers. However, no bruised produce goes to waste.

"If it ends up bruised or something beforehand, I've got plenty of critters around here to enjoy them."