Bobby and Debby
Bobby has always been a farmer. His father was a farmer, his grandfather was a farmer. (There is definitely a pattern developing here). He grew up on the back of a horse and the seat of a tractor. After high school, he pursued a degree in Agriculture (no surprise there) and began a teaching career in Agriculture spanning over 3 decades and many many students. It was during his tenure as an Ag Teacher that he began his new venture with sheep (he grew up on a cattle farm). When show season started, some of his students could not afford to show cattle and landed on sheep. Bobby decided he also needed to raise sheep if he were to teach his students about them, and so began our journey into shepherding.
Debby came from nowhere near a farm and everything she knows she has learned hands on. However, her lack of knowledge of the farm is made up for by her amazing sense of humor from living on this farm. With no ag degree, she simply utilizes her social work skills in helping all the animals gets along. Some days are better than others. At any rate, 3 kids and 6 grandchildren later we are still here, everyday , getting up doing the same thing day in and day out and never ceasing to be amazed at the Creator and the blessings we receive daily from the farm life.
WHAT WE DO
Sheep. Plain and simple our focus is on sheep and the products they naturally provide for us. Initially starting with meat sheep for over 30 years, the last 5 years saw a major transition on the farm to a small flock of dairy sheep. These dairy sheep provide the milk that we use in our line of plain and simple soaps.
What you might not know is that the protein content in sheep milk is one of the highest you will find- being higher than cow or goat milk with an added bonus of being the creamiest of the three. Combine that with the butters and oils we select, and you will find yourself with a great skin-loving bar of soap.
Our yearly shearing brings in hundreds of pounds of wool. Recently, when taking wool to a mill to be turned in to yarn, the company called and asked if we wanted to make socks. A whole new market and a new set of dreams opened up. The birth of our sock and winter wool line went into full swing in 2020. (During a pandemic, you have lots of time to think and develop) The success of the products from the sales has validated this was the right move.
Many a late evening we have been the stop for hunters getting ready for the upcoming morning's hunt after they have listened to the freezing temperature forecasted. To me, it is a neat experience to know and see that the wool you are wearing is out in your fields just hanging out (growing more wool) eating grass waiting for Bob to drop some hay in for them. This line is constantly being updated by our customer requests.
And finally we raise and sell breeder stock to those farmers that are ready to incorporate a few Border Cheviots into their flock. (You should know that Border Cheviot sheep are not docile and may not be for the novice just wanting a few sheep to love on. ) We also raise market lambs that are sold to individuals, retail stores, and restaurants. We are proud that these have been featured in award-winning dishes by one of the top chefs in East Tennessee..
OUR PRACTICES
All of our products originate on our farm. Not only from the sheep, but from wildflowers or herbs that grow on the farm. We incorporate rotational grazing year-round for our flock, being one of our best defenses against parasites.
We have professional shearers who shear every spring for us. All of the wool is then incorporated into one of our products or used as bedding when needed for newborn lambs. Shearing helps us to better know the conditioning of our sheep and better care for them.
Lambing season generally begins in late February or early March for us and continues into late April, with the flock being checked several times daily for signs of labor.
Sheep are placed in lambing pens prior to birth (if we can catch them) or shortly thereafter. This allows a bonding period for the mother and newborn as well as ensures that there are no postpartum complications that need immediate attention. After a few days, if all is going well with momma and baby lamb, they are moved into a nursery lot where we still monitor for any potential problems. Our electric fencing on the perimeter and a guardian dog for our livestock are our best defense against predators.
