I didn’t sleep well last night. Two years ago, while performing a controlled burn, we had the wind pick up in the evening, and our fire threatened to get away from us. I will never forget it. Though we contained the blaze, the memory is a reminder, a warning, of how quickly a controlled burn can move. I know the area we prepared and am grateful that the state is helping us this year.
After another windy night, I needed to check the fence along Glen’s Road. I rode side-by-side toward the Coal Creek Gorge. I only found a few limbs on the fence. I started at the branches using an electric chainsaw I bought last year. I am still impressed with how powerful the saw is. I could…
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…
I was excited to head out this morning and walk through the newly-burned fields. It’s always interesting to see the land in this charred state. Even though the fire engulfed the pre-planned areas, some shrubs and trees remain unscathed. It’s called a “patchy” burn which creates a diverse “mosaic” on the landscape. Still, much of…
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…
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,…