Background
Briarhopper Ranch has relocated to a ~49 acre property in Eastern Kentucky. We are exploring the land, the history of the people who lived here for generations, and simultaneously launching an overwhelming amount of work to revitalize the land and the structures to make this plot our own.
There’s evidence that this land has fed many people over many years. A backyard orchard (apple, pear, and ?), plus the footprint of a large garden persists. An overgrown row of grapes needs tending, and chestnut trees (we suspect vigorous hybrids) drop nuts in abundance. Paw Paw trees are numerous, and the deed makes mention of a “persimmon holler”, suggesting an abundance of native forest fruits. Historical satellite images suggest someone was running cattle on this plot this century, and the condition of the three-wire perimeter fence supports this. Two large barns and a spacious dual chicken coop, fallen into disrepair, round out the infrastructure.
The previous owner who sold the homestead to us simply lived here for six years, driving up the long driveway to the house like approaching an island cottage. The land was used as more of a privacy buffer than to produce food. The barns stored lonely dogs and termites, the fruit trees were never pruned, and the garden lay fallow.
The land further gives the impression that in the decade before our seller acquired the land, agricultural activity was winding down here. The forest encroached on some meadows, which were increasingly maintained by brush hog instead of herds.
Our Solution
We have expansive dreams and an exciting vision for this farm, including a micro resort farm-stay (1-2 units of lodging with access to private hiking). But, first things first!
Livable, Lovable Home
The 1980s rancher was built simply to house a family. It features five tiny bedrooms and two baths, with a small but functional kitchen. A full gut home renovation to make the house more livable, reconfiguring the space for two fifty-something’s who love to cook and entertain. Indoor finishings will be upgraded, and outdoor living will blend the home more seamless with its surroundings.
Accessible Beauty
We’ve just begun exploring this homestead, and already have found towering ~100’ high cliffs and two waterfalls. One view at the topo map of this property confirms what the deer hunter sellers agent touted: this land abounds with natural beauty.
The quarter acre spring-fed pond and a nearby waterfall on the south edge of the property are accessible with an assist from a tractor mower weed whacker. Access to many more features is currently guarded by thick brush, cattle wire and steep elevation changes. That’s where we come in: building trails so we and our guests can appreciate all that this land has to offer.
Bountiful Again
Besides being beautiful, this land can be productive for food. Under our care, this land will once again feed people. Our initial efforts will focus on what’s closest hand: expanding our egg laying flock and housing the birds in a secure new coop, rehabilitating the fruit orchard and grapevines, and re-establishing the garden and greenhouse. We have a lot of space to establish native wildflowers to encourage pollinators to call our farm home. After years of gardening in a high elevation zone 4, we are giddy at the possibilities of a longer zone 7 growing season. But we’ll need to quickly hone our resistance to new garden pests.
There will also be a lot of work to stabilize and clean up two old barns, and demolish old buildings that have already served their purpose. We need to define pasture boundaries and better manage these. This property is rich in springs, swales and natural runoffs that today are mostly choked in briars. Old fences need to be cut and new fences erected. So much work needs to be done, but the excitement is real.
Your Key Takeaway
If you’re reading this thinking: “these people are crazy, why didn’t they just buy an upscale home on 10 acres and call it good”, that’s fine. We understand, we don’t fault you one bit and can’t argue with your reasoning.
If you’re like us though, and figure: “we can renovate a house and reinvigorate the land, but almost 50 acres with living water is our hill to die on, and cliffs, waterfall and a pond make this place magical”, well, this post is for you.
You’ve probably already figured this out for yourselves, but I’ll state it here in bold: revitalizing an old homestead requires a lot of hard work and money. There’s no way around it. This farm didn’t fall into disrepair overnight, and it’s not going to be easy or cheap to bring it back to its glory and then some. So if you’re thinking about rehabbing and old farmstead, buckle up, have your financial resources aligned and be ready to work your tail off.