Every geographical location has an average “first frost” and “last frost” date. For our farm, April 15th is (hopefully) the last possible day for a nighttime frost. October 15th is the earliest.

Soap-making is our primary value-added agricultural enterprise, and at Dry Hollow Farm we handcraft thousands of bars of artisan goat milk soap every year.

https://www.dryhollowfarmtn.com/shop/p/lotion-bars-wholesale?rq=lotion

Late February through early April can be challenging months for livestock feeding because having enough hay for the animals depends upon our predictive abilities six months prior.

Domesticated livestock depend upon us to keep them healthy. This time of year, we focus upon our newborn lambs who require tail removal as soon as possible after birth.

For every birth, the first 48 hours are crucial and require extra attention on our part to make certain the little ones are thriving. Unfortunately we have learned from experience how many things can go wrong.

Owning a small farm teaches two of life’s greatest lessons - planning and patience. Whether raising livestock, row crops, or specialty crops, every enterprise on a farm requires organization, planning, and long periods of patient waiting.

Despite the cold, damp, and icy weather, late winter through early spring is an exciting season at Dry Hollow Farm as we welcome a passel of lambs and kids to the farm.

As humans, we automatically believe that if we feel the cold, then so must every other critter in the animal kingdom.

Captain, a very handsome Great Pyrenees - Anatolian Shepherd mix, taught me the value of owning a livestock guarding dog. He arrived at Dry Hollow Farm as a puppy our first year, and became a permanent fixture until this past summer.

I can remember the first time my sweet (and patient!) neighbor called me to say three of my ewes were standing on her back porch peering through the screen door into her kitchen. After experiencing the frustration of tracking and corralling at-large livestock, we quickly learned the value good fencing!

Recently we experienced an arctic blast that plunged our temps and wind chill factors far below normal for a western Tennessee winter. Preparing for an overnight temperature of minus 2 (and a wind chill factor of minus 20) caused great concern for animal welfare.