This morning I woke up and looked out over Coal Creek Farm and saw nothing. This isn’t true; I saw a beautiful expanse of whitish gray. At the top of the mountain where my farmhouse is, we were totally enveloped in the clouds. It’s amazing to go from being able to see the Smokie Mountains…
My body always feels so good after a day of exercise. A healthy diet and exercise are integral to my life. That’s partially why I like to walk around my farm instead of always driving cars, atv or tractor. A cool spring day like today has the added advantage that there are no snakes and…
I’ve been looking forward to today for weeks. In addition to being a steward for Coal Creek Farm, since I moved to TN I have become an avid whitewater canoeist. Canoeing is a sport that’s origins trace back to the native peoples who farmed this land for centuries. Coal Creek, Whites Creek and Powder Creek…
We were under a frost advisory last night. Every step I took this morning made a satisfying crunch underfoot. As I returned from my morning hike, I stopped to talk with my farm manager, Harold. He explained the rifle shot I had heard earlier this morning. Harold had shot two coyotes that have been sneaking…
Before this most recent storm, I was enjoying the false Spring. Now what was supposed to be a small amount of rain has arrived as snow flurries, and the wind although calmer, is still a constant as we work. The cold weather slows all of the tres and plant’s growth. We continue to look for…
Last night the winds came howling through. Unfortunately, we ended up with all the bluster, but hardly any of the precipitation. On the bright side, this made today perfect for hiking up to the top of Bear Den Mountain. Bear Den is the highest point on the farm with a spectacular view that includes Grassy…
We got about a half-inch of rain yesterday and expect the same today. The cows make a muddy mess when it’s wet, but the hayfields need the rain, especially as new blooms pop every day. I took the ATV to the White’s Creekside of the farm. Our five thousand acres are divided by two creeks….
It’s cloudy and overcast this morning at Coal Creek Farm. The rain will roll in around lunchtime, so we need a quick start this morning. It’s another good day for the cattle operation as we have eight newborn calves looking happy and healthy. We ran out of time with the Bush Hog yesterday, so today,…
Sunday is a day of rest in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. Life on Coal Creek Farm doesn’t stop, so even though I don’t have chores precisely planned, I still have things to do. It’s an excellent morning to split wood for the fire, and my youngest son has gotten good at making kindling. Afterward,…
The weather today looks mild, so I’m getting an early start. I love walking around Coal Creek Farm in the mornings, and today I brought a bag to fill with the trash that blew in over the winter. It’s incredible how even though we try to collect it all, scraps of plastic from the round…