ABOUT US

OUR STORY

Each little, medium, or multi-generational farm across this country has a story to tell; as many of those stories need to be told as possible. Why? Because, while our individual farm stories are not identical, they collectively represent a larger “farm story” that is under-heard in our nation today. This is ours:

In 2012 there was a desperate need for “recentering” in my life and for that of my family. I was on my third combat deployment to Afghanistan while my wife, Nicole, was essentially on her own, pregnant, and working full-time in private practice as a family medicine physician. The responsibilities, stresses, and habitual separation were incompatible with the family focused life both of us wanted. I was ready to separate from active duty service by the time I returned from my final tour in 2013. Nicole expressed an interest of getting back into academics but without giving up her clinical work. We both felt it was important to be near family and we wanted to live somewhere rural too. East Tennessee offered all these components. Somewhere along the way, I thought that a family farm might compliment our efforts to “simplify, balance, and ground” our lives. I was wrong about the “simplify” part but I could never have guessed just how much it would change our lives for the better. I like to say, “we are cultivating a life philosophy more than anything else here.”

The land that Six Stone Jars Farm operates on was purchased in 2013. Looking back, with over a decade into this endeavor to ground ourselves to each other and to the earth, we could have not made a better choice. Like having a strong and developed tap root, we can do more than just weather bad storms, we can thrive. Sure, we grow stuff and raise animals but more than anything else we are in the business of helping others do the same. Six Stone Jars Farm is multifaceted in this regard. It is not only our homestead with a business but also a platform for us to teach, serve, and collaborate with others. For us, promoting healthy people and healthy ecology are inseparable, they go hand in hand. Similarly, we hope this website serves a greater purpose than just advertising products.

If you are interested in learning more about our philosophies and concepts be sure to contact us or check out the blog page.

Respectfully,

Chad

Meet the Team

  • Chad

  • Nicole

  • Bryce

  • Braxton

  • Johnny

    Chief Livestock Guardian. This Great Pyrenees is the gold standard of livestock protection. His presence is why calves and lambs can safely be born on pasture and why chickens can free range.

  • Louise

    Chief Child Guardian. Although close to retirement now, this Great Pyrenees never relinquished her roll as supervisor of children. She loves welcoming visitors and making sure her smaller teammate Eve has backup when threats come around.

  • Eve

    While the smallest of our LGDs, this Sheltie mix is our primary aerial defense on the farm. She keeps her eyes on the horizon and sky and sounds the alarm when birds of prey get too close to the chicken coop. She has even taught our other dogs how to ward off raptors.

  • Wren

    Welcoming our newest team member, Wren! Our Maremma Sheepdog pup is quickly learning that being a livestock guardian is a full-time gig.

WHAT’S WITH THE NAME

A common question we get is, “Why did you name your farm Six Stone Jars?”

According to the Gospel of John the first miracle that Jesus of Nazareth performed was turning six stone jars of water into wine. Many people know this story as The wedding at Cana.

Whether it was our love of wine or important social gatherings like weddings there is something tangible, elemental, and communal about this miracle that we are drawn to as a family.

It is speaks to God’s abundant grace and self giving nature. It seemed fitting to name our farm, at its own beginning, with something that reflected this emphasis on generosity, hospitality, and sharing.