Luminaria Acres

Ever splurged on a meal at Hestia or Emmer & Rye in Austin? If so, you’ve likely tasted the influence of Randall Holt, a former member of the elite culinary teams behind these acclaimed restaurants. During his time there, Holt built strong relationships with local farmers and ranchers, sourcing high-quality produce and proteins for their menus. “I used to come to the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller on Sunday afternoons to buy everything from the farmers for the restaurants,” he says.

It’s no surprise that his deep passion for food and sustainable sourcing eventually led him and his wife, Katie, to start a farm of their own. Just south of Austin in Paige, Texas, they’ve built Luminaria Acres, a regenerative farm that seeks to actively restore and improve the soil through practices including crop rotation and use of cover crops. The farm also has an apiary to support pollinators (and produce honey). Rooted in care and community, Luminaria Acres never uses pesticides or chemicals.

“In 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic, Katie and I decided to sell our two-bedroom home in East Austin and buy property in the country,” Holt recalls. With a shared love of local food and a desire for a slower, more intentional lifestyle, the couple began a new chapter. Randall, originally from New Mexico, remembers spending childhood holidays crafting luminarias, the traditional paper bag lanterns filled with sand and candles. “It felt like the perfect name for the farm,” he says. Katie, who grew up both overseas and in Texas, studied anthropology at Bryn Mawr College, where she wrote her thesis on the Reading Terminal Farmer’s Market in Philadelphia. With their combined backgrounds and vision, they’ve created something truly special.

Got Goat Milk? Luminaria Acres is home to both Nubian and Alpine goats, raised with care on the land. Want to learn more about them? You can meet each goat and find out their individual backstories on the farm’s website: luminariaacres.com/meet-the-goats. The farm offers a herd share program, allowing customers to receive fresh, low-temperature pasteurized whole goat milk. This method destroys harmful pathogens while preserving beneficial bacteria along with the milk’s rich, fresh flavor. It’s perfect for drinking, yogurt-making, and almost any cheese recipe.

When I visited their stall at the Mueller Market, the offerings were nicely curated: seasonal produce, vibrant flowers, and even small-batch vinegars. I picked up a stunning pink pear vinegar made from fruit grown right on their trees. It’s absolutely delicious. I have already used it in dressings, marinades, and even just drizzled over salads. Other Sunday market favorites include spicy scorpion pepper pickles, a variety of raw vinegars, dried organic herbs, and chemical-free produce. Luminaria Acres is proudly pesticide-free, and their regenerative farming practices ensure minimal environmental impact. And don’t forget to chat with Randall when you stop by. He’s not just a farmer, but a trained chef with a deep well of cooking knowledge and recipe ideas he’s always happy to share.