Old Homeplace Farm

The history of Old Homeplace Farm in southeastern Kentucky dates back to the mid 1800s. No written record exists of the family’s crops or livestock, but we imagine that it was like most other Kentucky farms of that period: highly diversified and remarkably self-sufficient.

The Bowling Family, like many other farm families in their area, had eventually dedicated their pasture acreage of the farm to raise beef calves to sell to cattle feeders. They found, however, that this business model was neither financially or ecologically sustainable for their farm. 

They then decided to look back to their heritage and consider the increased demand for local, fresh foods in Appalachia. The Bowlings diversified and began raising grass-fed cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as pasture-raised chickens and pigs to process and sell directly to local customers. As their success and family grew, they purchased additional land and are now growing and selling naturally-raised produce. 

It is their philosophy that food can and should be produced in a way that heals the land from which it comes. They work with a number of agencies to ensure their practices protect the soil and the water. The Bowlings also use an intensive management system that helps them produce food more naturally and sustain resources. Pastures are rotated often to reduce the spread of disease and parasites. Letting different animal species graze together also allows for a more efficient use of native plants. When the animals are in the barns, the Bowlings collect and compost their manure, which makes a nutrient-rich soil additive for their pastures and crops. Honey bees are kept on the farm for their pollination services, allowing produce and pastures to reach their full potential. 

While their current method of farming is a lot of work, they believe their sustainability practices provide them a quality of life like no other. 

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