HobbyKnob Farm

HobbyKnob is a small farm in Western North Carolina raising llamas for fun and fiber, Jacob sheep for conservation and wool, chickens for eggs and ranging.

Our History
In the fall of 1999 my husband wanted this farm so much that he told me I could get any animal I wanted if we could buy this place. Not what you say to a repressed animal lover heading towards a mid life crisis. Until the age of 15, I spent many weekends watching and helping my father manage a herd of cattle on his family land in Alabama. I have many fond memories of riding horses, bottle feeding calves, fishing in the pond with a bamboo pole and rumaging around the old barn.

Fast forward through college, job, marriage, child and the move from the city and here we are. A pasture full of elegant llamas, sheep of many colors and old standard breeds of chickens roaming the barnyard. My goal is to raise more of our own food and maintain our small piece of land in a way that is safe for us, our neighbors downstream and the animals. We fertilize with OMRI approved products and use no pesticides or herbicides. Chickens, goats, bats and birds are great natural bug killers and plant eaters.

Why Sheep?
I have chosen breeds that are multi purpose and known to be hardy and able to forage well on average pasture, have good feet and color genetics. I like sheep because they are small and easy to manage, have personality, graze and browse, provide wool, meat and milk, provide natural fertilizer, are suitable for hilly terrains and they are easy on the land. The majority of my flock consists of the Jacob breed which is on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy list.

Why Llamas?
LLamas are much like sheep and goats. They are a modified ruminant, therefore they also eat grass and browse. They actually would prefer to browse. They do well on an average pasture, hay in the winter and possibly some grain supplement. I became smitten with llamas after attending SAFF in 1999. The neighbor across the road from my new farm just happens to raise llamas so all it took was a few visits and I had a couple of my own.

Why Chickens?
Oh my goodness, everyone should have a small backyard flock of hens for fresh eggs! Chickens were the first critters (besides our house pets) to grace our farm. I choose standard breed chickens that historically were used for backyard flocks. They come in many colors and personalities and roam around eating bugs and grass and lay beautiful orange yoked (the way they should be) eggs, leaving bits of fertilizer everywhere they go.

I invite you to call any time to schedule a visit, for more information on our raw or processed fiber or our farm.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth