Mullen-Vollmer Farm History
The Mullen-Vollmer Farm is a 5th generation working family farm. We are focused on producing wholesome produce as well as providing a genuine “REAL FARM” experience. Located only a half hour from the Triangle, in Bunn, North Carolina: the farm enjoys many new and regular patrons from across NC and all over the world. The farm is now led by farmer- Mann Mullen and his wife, Nikki Pleasants Mullen. As lineage has it… great- great grandfather, Burgess Mullen, and his wife, Burline Todd married in 1866 and farmed the land located along the Tar River. This began the family of 8 children, one of which was Henry Henderson Mullen known as “Mann” Mullen. Mullen married Rosa Tant and continued the farming tradition with 7 children including brother and sister, Elmer and Ruth. Ruth Mullen found true love and married Norbert John Vollmer. The Vollmer Farm was the vision and creation of their son, John. Elmer Craven Mullen married his “Five foot two, eyes of blue” sweetheart, Ila Keen and had a son named Elmer Gene. Thus, began today’s story. John Vollmer and Gene Mullen Sr. were forever joined by the soil of Franklin County and Bunn, North Carolina as kin folk and farmers. The two families with a history of hard work, love for the land and each other continued to shape farming. Today, Mann Mullen, son of Gene Mullen and Russ Vollmer, son of John Vollmer, will strive to instill in young people of today, the essence of what the family farm is and the need to take care of our precious land and resources. Growing up in a small agricultural town with parents that grew up in the Depression, our Dads, Gene and John, had to find ways to have fun in what little time they had away from work. They utilized the Tar River for swimming and fishing, sliding and floating and of course swinging out on the vines from the beautiful Bald Cypress trees that grow along the Tar River. Another chore they enjoyed, and most kids today would call work, was helping their mothers maintain their extensive gardens. A necessity in those days, Gene and John along with their siblings thought work in the garden and harvesting the food was a nice break from the farm field work. All of that fun and hard work was passed down to their children and one of our goals here at the Vollmer Farm is to pass some of that HOMEMADE FUN and HOMEGROWN FOOD on to our customers while giving them a taste of farm life and hopefully an experience they will cherish forever and pass down to their children and grandchildren. In the Fall, you do not want to miss coming to the “Back Forty”-a 40+ acre playground that has a bounty of activities and is FUN for all ages! Our one-price admission (similar to the cost of a movie ticket), provides you with a full day of FUN in a beautiful, fresh air environment. We appreciate feedback from our customers that the value they get at the farm is just incredible and like no other family entertainment or “farm” experience they’ve had anywhere! Come see for yourself what it’s all about. The farm grows fresh produce, makes homemade ice cream and offers other delicious food items and unique gifts daily in the Farm Market & Ice Cream Shop. From picking berries or flowers to milking cows and enjoying our farm animals, our true desire is for your time on the farm to be special and memorable.
