We are a new and emerging regenerative, permaculture and organic farm in East Tennessee.
This adventure started in December, 2024. In the depths of winter is probably not the best time to start a farm, but we’re making it work.
A little history. I grew up on dairy farms in Northern NY State and have always been at home in the country. After high school, I joined the Army at 18yrs old and didn’t come out until 24 years later.
How did a retired Military Intelligence officer become an organic farmer? Short story – I was working for the National Park Service at the Gettysburg National Battlefield when I had my 2nd heart attack. My doctor asked me a question that really hit home. “Do you want to die at your desk?”
That’s when I realized that life is too short and can be over in a flash and if you want to do something, go do it. We found a place in the little town of Whitesburg, Tennessee, about 50 miles east of Knoxville with 14 acres. Deciding to go for it, we packed up and like the Beverley Hillbillies in reverse, came to the hills of Tennessee to start a farm.
I had studied and taken many courses on regenerative farming, permaculture and no-till gardening and knew that it was the way to go. In essence, this type of organic farming is working with the soil, water, land and animals together as a system of systems; letting nature do what nature does.
With this vision, we are getting to work. Spring 2025 will be our first season. The goal is to have our gardens up and running early spring. Eggs, vermiculture, vegetables, herbs, berries and fruit trees all pollinated by our own honeybees. Eventually we’ll have livestock too.
But not just any livestock. Our choices reflect the atmosphere of the farm, the Homestead. We are going with heirloom breeds.
Shetland sheep for their wool and meat. Easy to care for, pasture raised and friendly. Their wool is perfect for many knitting and other projects and for our purposes, just fit the overall nature of the farm.
Angora goats for the same reasons. Their easy to handle and manage, their meat is terrific and they provide fleece as a secondary product
Lastly, our livestock herd is rounded out with American Guinea Hogs.
Unlike most pigs, Guinea Hogs don’t root up the soil nearly as much. They’re happy grazing and eating the walnuts and chestnuts that we have in abundance on the property. Guinea hogs, not to be confused with Guinea pigs, are relatively a small breed with the maximum size of about 350lbs.
We’re looking forward to really getting the farm up and running and turning this vision into reality.
Thank you for stopping by and be sure to follow us on social media and share this with your friends! Come back often as the farm grows and comes into fruition.
Grow Happy!
Leave a Reply