The Roany Boyz

by Carol Coffey

L to R: David Goforth, Carol Coffey, and Jamie Burnham were on hand to accept the 2013 Stan Murray Volunteer of the Year award. (with Jeanette Blazier & Carl Silverstein)

The Roany Boyz began as a group of friends who liked to hike and camp together.  One, Carol Coffey, was also involved with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and joined other volunteers on the annual Grassy Ridge Mow-off.   On the Grassy Ridge Mow-off, volunteers spent the third weekend of July cutting blackberry bushes and other invasive plants that were destroying the quality of the Grassy Ridge Bald.  At times, over 30 people showed up to work and camp on the bald.

Roany Boyz table, at Appalachian Spring event, 2013

The Appalachian Trail provides access to Grassy Ridge and crosses Round Bald, Engine Gap, Jane Bald, and then a shoulder of Grassy Ridge before the side trail to the ridge begins.  Hiking out to Grassy Ridge, Carol noticed that Engine Gap and the Southwest side of Jane Bald were rapidly being overgrown with blackberries.   Judy Murray, SAHC’s head of Stewardship for the Roan Highlands, agreed to provide tools, primarily weed eaters, if Carol could form a group to work at Engine Gap.

In 2001 the Roany Boyz began working in Engine Gap.  The original Roany Boyz were David Goforth (Lenoir City), Mike Fisher, Jaime Burnham (Oak Ridge), Bill Ryan (Birmingham, AL), and Carol Coffey (Knoxville).  Alan Trently, the paid SAHC Seasonal Ecologist, also joined them.  The first year they worked at Engine Gap was 2001.  Rather than camp out, for the first three years they stayed in cabins at the Roan Mountain State Park or a private cabin in Burbank.  The Boyz paid all expenses except for gas for their weed eaters, which SAHC furnished.

David and Jaime are excellent cooks and provided the Boyz with delicious meals.  After breakfast, the Boyz would drive to Carver’s Gap and hike to the designated work area at Engine Gap, carrying their equipment and a daypack with lunch, water, and raingear.  The first year, there was a fog and misty rain that obscured the mountain all day Saturday.  Visibilty was limited to 20 or 30 yards most of the day.  They had to come back the next day to see what they had accomplished.

And they have returned, year after year, for the last 12 years.

Roany Boyz, 2008

Jaime Burnham is credited with the name of the group, which reflects the serendipitous attitude of the Boyz.  In later years, when females joined the group, they were asked if they would like the name changed to the Roany Boyz and Girlz.  The women preferred to be considered just as Boyz, and so the original name stayed.

2004 was the first year that the Roany Boyz camped at Engine Gap.  They enjoy the Zen of the mountains  so much that they have continued to camp every year since.  Other volunteers have joined them through the years.  The SAHC Seasonal Ecologist always accompanies the Boyz and helps supervise the work.  Joy in 2004, Nora Schubert (2006 -2012), Chris Coxen (2009-2012).  Nora continued to work with the Roany Boyz even after she was no longer employed as the Seasonal Ecologist.  She was selected the ‘Sweetheart of the Roany Boyz,’ based on her friendliness, beauty and grace; the most delicious blackberry cobbler any of us had ever eaten; and the fact that she can outwork any one of the Roanys, including Mike Fisher (and that is saying something).

Through the years volunteers have come and gone.  Bruce Byers (Rutherfordton, NC) joined the group in 2006 and has attended every year since.  Bruce was especially welcomed as he provides entertainment in the evenings with recitations of Robert Service poems.

Roany Boyz, 2012

A person only has to attend one Roany Boyz weekend to become a Roany Boyz member for life.  The following is a list of those people who have contributed to the restoration of Engine Gap and Jane Bald:  Jerry Thornton, Chris Edkins, Andrew Coffey (Knoxville), Lewis and Karen Carson and their daughter, Claire, Orlando Barcacel (Lansing, MI), Lisa Tyler, Mahalia (Nora Schubert’s daughter, Johnson City), Mark Hall (Knoxville), Daniel Ryan (Birmingham, AL), Dan Simmons (friend of Mike Fisher from Oak Ridge, TN), and Clyde Mackaman (Chattanooga, TN).

Roany Boyz have no officially designated leader.  Each of the Boyz looks for what needs to be done, and does it, whether it is mowing blackberries, the primary purpose, sharpening weeder blades, setting up the cook tarp, going to the spring for water, cooking, cleaning up and washing dishes, picking blueberries, or whatever needs to be done for the benefit and enjoyment of the group.  No one has to mow if they don’t feel like it.  There are other things to do.

Camp is set up on the side of Round Bald overlooking Engine Gap.  Here and there are flat spots that provide a place to setup a tent.  Legend says there were made by lightning strikes in past years.  Dave and Carol usually come out on Wednesday and pick up mowers from SAHC.  The grass is usually knee high and damp.  The first chore is to clear the camping area, and the cook tarp area.  They set up their tents, and clear paths between the various other tent sites along the slope and the cook area.  Then Dave clears a path to the spring, cleans out the spring, and sets up a pipe to fill water bags.  When Dave brings water up from the spring, Carol sets up a drip filter for drinking water for the crew.  Extra water bags are brought up periodically during the weekend to be certain there is always plenty of fresh water for hydration. Thursday is spent mowing the entire space around the camp and cooking area.

Usually, the rest of the Boyz arrive sometime Friday.  Some have time to mow after setting up their tents on Friday.  The amount of mowing is measured in gas tanks consumed.  It takes about 45 minutes to use up a tank of gas on a mower.  Mike Fisher is the champion mower, with seven tanks mowed in one day.

Dinner on the mountain

Saturday evening is usually the feast night with David and Jaime combining their skills to create a dinner fit for kings.  The Boyz have carried in enough beer to relax muscles after a hard day’s work.  Meals are vegetarian, though tuna can be added for those who must get their protein from animal sources.  After dinner, everyone pitches in to clean the plates and pans, and then everyone settles back to listen to Bruce Byers recitation of “The Ballad of Sam McGee” or another of the Robert Service poems he has memorized.  On occasion, the Boyz have adjourned to the top of Round Bald to watch a sunset, or a distant thunder storm.

Sunday, there may be some mowing done on the way back to the gap on the side of the Appalachian Trail.  After four nights camping, Carol and David always stop at the State Park for a shower.  If they make it in time, supper is at the Farmer’s Daughter in Chuckey, an excellent reward for a long weekend’s work.

The point of the Roany Boyz is not only to restore the unique beauty of balds, but to have fun doing it.  Most all would agree that their formula works.

Appalachian Spring

Here’s a simple video to give you a taste of our 2013 membership event in Kingsport, TN – Just in case you missed it, or want to refresh memories with good friends!

Appalachian Spring.

The Tri-County Traverse

The Merschat hike group enjoyed clear views from the corner where Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey counties meet.

Trekking up Maney Fields.

You would think that crossing three counties in one day would be an impossible task. Nay, with this grizzled group of veteran hikers, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and land owners Carl and Holley Merschat were able to summit the top of Maney Fields where Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey Counties converge. Despite only having to hike 1.5 miles to the top, the group gained over 1,200 feet of elevation, climbed through cattle gates, and avoided high voltage fences. Truly, a successful day!

The family grows Shitake mushrooms on the property.

For over thirty years, Carl and Holley Merschat have lived in their home tucked away in Barnardsville, NC. There, they raised two kids, and gradually buffered their home with additional land to explore and enjoy. They bought their house in 1974 and the next year bought 58 more acres. Over the next 30 years, the Mershats were able to tack on an additional 60 acres. They heat their home every winter from the wood on their property, grow Shiitake mushrooms, and continue to cultivate a strong relationship with their land.

So earlier this fall, when they were able to put their land under conservation easement it, “It just felt right,” says Carl Mershat. “We are pleased and proud to protect this property and help maintain the integrity and spectacular beauty of the mountains of Western North Carolina for perpetuity.”

Carl pointing out peaks towards Tennessee.

Carl, a retired geologist, knows these mountains like the back of his hand and can easily identify several of the prominent peaks of the Blue Ridge landscape, such as Mount Mitchell, Mount Pisgah, Roan, or Grandfather mountain. When the group made it to the top of Maney Fields, everyone was impressed when Carl pointed and named every mountain top on the horizon, including some recently protected SAHC projects such as Snowball Mountain and Spear Tops. Carol hiked 100s of peaks in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee as a geologist, giving him a unique opportunity to memorize the landscape.

The group enjoyed lunch on a beautiful December day.

After the group’s mountain peak identification skills increased tenfold, everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch on top of the meadows and a visit from a local four-legged friend named “Little Dog.” It was a beautiful December day for a hike! The Merschats were wonderful hosts and the hikers were keen and excited to learn. Thanks to everyone who came out. Stay warm and keep an eye for a hike or two in January or February.

Caught in a Webb (Property)

The last post in this sizzling-hot blog was a saga of swashbuckling adventure, a daring tale of trials and tribulations overcome, AND a story about a bunch of hikers just living the dream in western North Carolina. The hike at the Webb’s property was quite different–it still included a lot of dream living but much less of those pesky yellow jackets.

If you like hiking, beautiful landscapes, and a little southern hospitality, then you probably should have joined Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) for an adventure to the Webb property a few Saturdays ago. Laura Webb and family generously opened the doors to their property and hosted an incredible hike and picnic for SAHC and members.

A view from the Webb’s porch

The Webb property is nestled deep in Jackson County, where it boasts a lake for fishing, untouched views from Laura’s Rock, and a secluded feel that gives visitors the thrilling sensation that they are truly “in the wild.” Originally (and still) used as a fishing cabin for family and friends of the Webbs, the 615-acre property protects a pristine lake and creeks that flow into the nearby Tuckaseegee River. Parts of the property sky to almost 4,500 feet high and afford hikers with breathtaking views of the valley below.

Part of the group enjoying a view from Laura’s Rock

Hikers were greeted at the fishing cabin with a crackling fire and warm beverages to drink. After learning about the rigors of successfully completing a conservation easement from Laura, the group pushed on from the warmth of the cabin and began the journey to hike the property’s extensive network of trails. After a 30 minute warm up over flat acidic cove forest, the hike quickly ramped up in difficulty as participants began the arduous ascent up to the Webb’s house near the top of the mountain. There, everyone was rewarded with a view from the porch and stories about the Webb’s land. Laura’s Rock lay ahead, so the group kept moving.

With a gentle saunter up to Laura’s Rock, the group took photos of the flaming Fall foliage and caught some rejuvenating rays of sunlight. You could hear everyone’s stomach rumbling from a mile away; so, not wanting anyone to perish from hunger, we decided to head towards the lush spread of food at the base of the lake. The picnic baskets were full, the company was DELIGHTFUL, and the weather outside was certainly not frightful. It was a great day playing in the web of the Webb property. Thanks to everyone that came out and a special thanks to the Webb family for graciously sharing their land.

Folks enjoying the picnic

Rockin’ at Rocky Fork with Mars Hill College

Mars Hill College students and faculty with David Ramsey (Back Row: 2nd to the right)

On Sunday, Septemeber 9th, David Ramsey led Mars Hill College 17 faculty and students on a hike to the protected 10,000-acre ecological treasure, known as Rocky Fork. It was the perfect day for some learning, hiking, and fishing.

Ramsey has been leading hikes for politicians, concerned citizens, and anyone else interested in protecting Rocky Fork’s vulnerable land since the mid-nineties, so when Karen Paar, director of The Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill College, approached Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) about leading a hike with her department for this fall, SAHC suggested David Ramsey.

David Ramsey leads the group to the battleground of Flint Creek

In the lead up to Ramsey’s field trip to Rocky Fork, The Center for Regional Studies hosted several events that focus on the theme, “Where There Are Mountains.”

“We adopted it as a theme for our last academic year continuing into this fall as a way to address a range of issues facing this region, as well as the physical realities of this landscape and the meanings that humans place on mountains,” says Professor Paar.

As part of this series and to get people excited about Rocky Fork, Paar asked, SAHC Board of Trustees member and author of “Stand up that Mountain,” Jay Leutze, to speak about Rocky Fork and the process of “Protecting Southern Appalachian Biodiversity – and Scenery – One Acre at a Time” on Tuesday, Sept. 4th. As always, Leutze made Rocky Fork come to life for his audience and paved the way for an exciting hike the following weekend with David Ramsey.

It was another beautiful day for a hike as cool winds from the Saturday before had pushed a refreshing and crisp Fall feel into the air. Hikers enjoyed a softer summer light that crept through the trees as the group made their way through just a small part of the 10,000 acre tract. Along the way, Ramsey shared childhood stories or romping through Rocky Fork’s woods, explained how much time, energy, and effort different individuals and organizations poured into protecting Rocky Fork, and even demonstrated the purity of Rocky Fork’s waters by catching a rainbow trout on his fly rod.

This rainbow trout was caught in the pristine waters of Rocky Fork

If you like a good conservation success story, it is imperative to come out and personally hear the gripping tale from David Ramsey. His eloquence and passion pervade every aspect of the hike, whether it is the account of Rocky Fork slipping through the grasp of conservation’s hands three separate times before finally being protected for a pricey forty million dollars; or walking through the hallowed ground where the Battle of Flint Creek took place nearly 223 years ago and where nearly 150 Cherokee lost their lives from John Sevier’s surprise ambush; or maybe it was seeing Rocky Fork’s pristine waters that are home to native brookies and wild rainbow trout. Ramsey painted a compelling picture. The whole crowd was convinced — Rocky Fork is worth every penny of that forty million.

Foraging for Mushrooms

Charlotte Caplan identifies the mushroom as participants listen.

It was the perfect storm for finding mushrooms last weekend in gorgeous Yancey County. In recent days, thunderstorms had soaked the ground, paving the way for an explosion of boletes, chanterelles, little brown mushrooms, and many others.

On July 22nd, SAHC & guests were led on an intriguing excursion by Asheville myco-hunter and expert, Charlotte Caplan. Everyone learned some tricks of the trade when identifying these mysterious fungi. The common question was, “How do you know if a mushroom is edible or not?”

“There is only one way to know if its edible or not – and that is to eat it,” joked Caplan. We all leaned in closer to hear more. From her basket, Charlotte pulled out a small white and harmless-looking mushroom with gills — A destroying angel. The name says it all; just one small bite is deadly enough to shut down a person’s liver and kidneys. What a comforting lesson to start the hike!

We dispersed along the edge of the forest to forage for some ‘shrooms, and within minutes everyone was filling baskets with russulas, boletes, puffballs, and morels galore. Caplan explained that identifying mushrooms is a challenging task, and even the most experienced mycologist cannot identify every mushroom.

Caplan holds a Jack O’Lantern Mushroom, which glows faintly in the dark

Smell is one of the primary methods in the identification process for some mushrooms. Many have a signature fragrance. Some smell sweet when they are young, and as they mature the odor becomes fishy. Others have that fresh, dirt-like smell.

Our adventurous scavengers found the bioluminescant Jack o’lantern mushroom, chanterelles, umbrella mushrooms, and many more. For lunch, everyone took their spoils to the top of the property and enjoyed beautiful views of Mt. Mitchell, Cattail Peak, Winter Star, and Celo Knob. Storms looked eminent in the distance, juxtaposed beautifully next to the sunlit mountains to the west of the property. Caplan searched each basket to ensure that there were not any deadly mushrooms, and then folks hopped into cars to escape in the incoming storms.

The mushroom hike was such a fruitful experience that Caplan offered to lead another expedition sometime in the near future. If you missed this hike, please check out www.appalachian.org to find other SAHC hikes and events, and we’ll see you next time!

Baa-tany Goat Project another Success!

27 Goats and two Great Pyrenees waiting to head up to Jane Bald

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Friends of Roan Mountain, and the Chargers hiking club had a terrific day herding goats up to Jane Bald in the Highlands of Roan for the 5th Annual Herding of the Goats for the Baa-tany Goat Project. Todd Eastin, who watches the goats for the majority of the year, led the charge and got 27 goats, two Great Pyrenees, and about forty people to the paddock on Jane Bald.

The rooster still had not crowed when participants arrived at Carvers Gap and although it was early, everyone was ready to lend a hand to get the goats to their new home for the summer atop Jane Bald. Todd gave the group a tactical breakdown of how to herd the goats up the mountain and after a safety briefing from Jamey Donaldson, the primary Botanist and Coordinator of the project,  everyone was ready to go. The first goats out of the trailer were a three day old baby and her mama. One of our volunteers, six year old Sophia, had the task of carrying the baby goat all the way to Jane Bald. Hiking up Round Bald and Jane Bald empty-handed is hard enough so everyone was impressed with Sophia’s resolve.

Toad Eastin with Sophia and a baby goat in her arms get ready to head up the mountain.

There were several hiccups along the way as three of the more strong-willed-goats escaped the clutches of the volunteer herders. One of the those goats was recaptured while the other two remained at large for the next two days. Fortunately, goats #215 and #709 wandered back up  to the paddock several days later and now the herd is safe and happily munching on blackberry.

Every June and September, SAHC participates in the Baa-tany Goat Project. As an avid reader of this blog, you might ask, “why would a land trust tend the field and shepherd a herd of goats?” The answer is surprisingly simple. The Highlands of Roan, SAHC’s flagship focus area, is one of the highest summits in the Appalachian Mountain range. Roan Mountain is unsurpassed in the south for the diversity of “northern” plant and animal species, remnants of the last Ice Age which have persisted in its cool high elevation climate. Thus, the purpose of the project is to restore the grassy ridge corridors using goats as an experimental management tool.

If you are interested in finding out more about the project or participating with SAHC next time, we will be helping Todd and Jamey bring the goats down from Jane Bald sometime in September.

Little Hump Partnership Hike

Sunday, May 20th, was a beautiful day for a hike in the Highlands of Roan. Thirty six ambitious hikers joined Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC), Highland Brewing Company, and US Fish and Wildlife Service for a full day of hiking.

Heading up the Trail

Hikers started their journey along Roaring Creek down in the valley below Little Hump by hoping onto the Overmountain Victory Trail. This was a good warm-up for everyone as we gradually ascended to connect with  the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail traverses 17 miles in the Highlands of Roan and provides some of the most spectacular views in the Southern Appalachians. The grade of the trail became immensely more difficult as the group set their sights on summiting Little Hump Mountain. A little ways up, hikers took a break to look back down into the valley and admire the iconic Overmountain Shelter.

Almost 1,500 feet later, the crew made it to the top where everyone enjoyed breathtaking views and good company. The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Highland Brewing Company became partners in 2010 to raise awareness of the importance of land protection in our region. To do that, Highland Brewing Company names their seasonal ales after protected peaks in the region. Little Hump Mountain was the inspiration for their spring seasonal.

Group Shot on Little Hump

Climbing on the rocks on Little Hump

On top of Little Hump, the Ridge and Valley Province lies to your west in Tennessee and the renowned peaks of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, and Linville Gorge rise to the east in North Carolina. Depending on the season, you could have  bluets at your feet and flame azaleas in your line of vision as you look out across the mountains. Much of the panoramic viewshed from around Little Hump is untouched by houses or developments and perhaps the best part is that you can enjoy these views for free anytime of the year.

50,000 Acres — For You, Forever!

We had a phenomenal time at our member event last week at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC! On Thursday May 17, we celebrated our 50,000 acre milestone with members, volunteers, sponsors, and guests.

The energetic April Fools Old Time Band (out of Moore County, NC) took the stage at 6:00 p.m., as the Tasting Room began to fill with celebrants.  Nona Mia Ritrovo provided an exceptional spread for dinner, and exciting raffle items filled the foyer of Highland Brewing Company’s Tasting Room.

During the evening program, Executive Director Carl Silverstein presented a brief recap of the 2011 projects which pushed us over the 50,000 acres protected milestone. He also addressed the question “What does it take to protect 50,000 acres?” The answer — Determined volunteers, members, staff, trustees, conservation partners, and supporters!

Carl and Jeanette Blazier, President of the Board of Trustees, presented the 2012 Stan Murray Volunteer of the Year Award to four Warren Wilson Forestry Students: Nick Biemiller, Kira Santulli,  Sarah Jamison, and Rhys Brydon-Williams.

Nick, Kira, Sarah, and Rhys provided extraordinary help to SAHC in our initiative to restore Golden-winged warbler habitat on Little Hump Mountain in the Highlands of Roan. This is a major restoration project of SAHC to increase early successional habitat on Little Hump, funded by a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Nick, Kira, Sarah, and Rhys hiked several miles with their own heavy equipment and offered their forestry skills to further our conservation efforts on the mountain. Their volunteer hours leveraged our paid grant work, allowing us to further increase the amount of early successional habitat on Little Hump mountain.

This project solidified an enduring partnership between SAHC and Warren Wilson Forestry department. The school naturally attracts dedicated individuals with an enthusiasm for environmental stewardship. SAHC hopes to continue this wonderful partnership for years to come.

Jeanette also recognized the inspiring achievements of retiring trustee Jay Leutze and presented him with an engraved award for his service.

Jay grew up hiking, camping, and exploring the Southern Appalachians.  He deeply loves these mountains, and revels in their fragile wonder.  He is driven to ensure that their ecology will remain intact for the future.

In 2008, Jay helped pass state legislation authorizing the Yellow Mountain State Natural Area adjacent to the Highlands of Roan. Since then, he has led the protection of more than 1,500 acres of critically important high elevation habitat there, with a long-term goal is to protect 30,000 more acres. He also stopped the proposed Putnam Mine, which would have devastated views from the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands of Roan.

Jay played a crucial role in protecting the 10,000-acre Rocky Fork tract along the Appalachian Trail in East Tennessee. He worked tirelessly with SAHC’s partners to secure the property, and he has been a trusted advocate in Congress for funds to help pay for the tract being added to the Cherokee National Forest for present and future generations to visit and enjoy. As a constant and heroic advocate for conservation, Jay testified on Capitol Hill in support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  His constant presence and vigilance in Washington, DC has advanced conservation locally as well as nationally.

Patty Cunningham-Woolf and Greg Gregory were elected each to a first 3-year term on the Board of Trustees, and Leslie Casse and Florence Krupnick will return to each serve a second 3-year term with the Board.

Patty Cunningham-Woolf
Patty is a REALTOR with Keller Williams Professionals in Asheville. Her summers were spent backpacking and camping in the Smokies and surrounding mountains, where she developed her deep love of the area’s natural resources.  Patty is a long time member of SAHC, the Blue Ridge Society, and The American Chestnut Foundation. While a Director for the Asheville Board of REALTORS, Patty helped to create an Eco designation for area brokers, a first of its kind in the U.S. She is a 12-year resident of Asheville with her husband, Ben, son Joseph, and daughter Katie.

Lyman J. (“Greg”) Gregory, III
Greg is an attorney with the Asheville firm of Marshall, Roth, and Gregory. He is a native of Asheville and actively volunteers in numerous community activities, focusing in particular on land use planning and environmental law. He has served on the SAHC Land Management and Stewardship Committee for several years, and has advised SAHC on legal questions relating to conservation easements and other matters. Greg, his wife Michele and their son Gabriel enjoy hiking in North Carolina’s mountains.

Leslie Casse
Leslie has brought her broad professional background in public relations, marketing, journalism, law, and public policy to SAHC’s Membership Development and Communications programs. She has a longstanding love of Roan and other special places in the Southern Appalachians. She, her husband Daniel and their two children live in Asheville. Leslie’s father Charlie McCullough is a past President of the SAHC Board of Trustees.

Florence Krupnick
Florence is active on the SAHC Membership Committee and has hosted cultivation events on behalf of SAHC. She is active in a number of causes on behalf of outdoor recreation, the environment, and children. She, her husband Jack and their children live in Asheville. Florence has worked hard on behalf of the Blue Ridge Society, a philanthropic giving society that benefits SAHC and CTNC.

We had a wonderful celebratory party with our members & guests. Thank you for joining us! We also want to extend an enormous THANK YOU to all our event sponsors and raffle item donors!

Highland Brewing Company Roberts & Stevens, PA Webb Investment Services White Oak Financial Management Nature’s Knots Custom Furniture USA Raft Molly Dingledine Jewelry Eberhard & Jean Heide Carolyn Novak Sandy Mush Herb Nursery Carolina Native Nursery The Frame & Mirror Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Nona Mia/Ritrovo Shoji Spa & Lodge Grove Arcade Navitat Canopy Adventures Henco Reprographics Biltmore Company The Silver Smith Thyme in the Garden Batton Clayworks The Weinhaus Advantage Printing Sundance Farms Outdoor Bird Company Omnium Body WorksA

Altamont Environmental, Inc. Second Gear Green River Woods Mahoney’s Outfitters TheFoundling.com Common Ground Distributors, Inc One Center Yoga Ken Maness David A. Ramsey, Nature Photography Reems Creek Nursery Linville River Pottery Black Dome Mountain Sports

 

Jammin’ at the Gott Farm

Gott Farm with White Rocks and Camp Creek Bald in the distant background

Last Thursday, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) staff members enjoyed another sensational day at Peter and Polly Gott’s idyllic farm. Tucked away deep in Madison County, the 218-acre Gott Farm is surrounded by Pisgah National Forest on two sides, there are abundant springs, wet coves full of wild edibles, viable soil for farming, and breathtaking views. Their farm is truly an ecological gem.

Peter and Polly Gott with dog Katie

Our visit started out with a tour of the Gott’s log cabin, which Peter meticulously made using hand tools and historic methods. The precision and perfection of Peter’s craftsmanship was exhibited in every other building on their property as well. Peter’s tools were impeccably organized and the woodsheds were stacked so systematically, you would think the logs were books in a library. After a tour of Polly’s old art studio (which Peter also made) and their sauna by the river, the staff headed to the top of their property to enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking White Rocks and iconic Camp Creek Bald.

The real fun began after lunch when the instruments were pulled out for some old-fashioned music making. Peter led the charge on his banjo, while SAHC’s Emily Bidgood and Margot Wallston piped in on the fiddle, Jamie Ervin played the guitar, and Hanni Muerdter strummed on the mandolin. Peter’s daughter and grandsons brought it altogether with a rendition of “Bury me Beneath the Willow.” The celebration culminated with SAHC staff dancing their socks off. Peter called each dance and his daughter Susie played on the fiddle. It was a grand ol’ time.

Peter and SAHC crew playing some tunes

Visiting the Gott Farm has become a tradition that all the staff look forward to every year. When the trees start blooming and the flowers are out, everyone knows it is time to visit the property again. “Peter and Polly are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Their generosity towards others and love for their land is pervasive in everything that they do.” Said SAHC Membership Director, Cheryl Fowler.

“It was also nice for our staff to see and experience the fruits of our labor firsthand. Because we do much of our work sitting in front of desks everyday, it’s easy to sometimes lose track of the bigger picture and forget why we protect these pieces of land.”  Said SAHC executive director, Carl Silverstein. “After a trip like today, it reaffirms for SAHC staff on a personal level, why we continue to protect land that has so much conservation and sentimental value.”