Meet the Feisty Flock of Crooked Pines Farm
Nestled in the gently rolling hills of Appalachia, Crooked Pines Farm is a vibrant oasis of diversity and character. This family-owned operation has been a labor of love for three generations, with each passing decade bringing new life, energy, and a few quirks to the resident farm animals.
Crooked Pines Farm: An Appalachian Sanctuary
Established in the 1920s, Crooked Pines Farm sits on 25 acres of lush, fertile land. Though surrounded by dense forests and winding creeks, the farm’s patchwork of pastures, orchards, and vegetable gardens creates a pockets of cultivated splendor. Towering oak, hickory, and maple trees dot the landscape, providing ample shade and shelter for the farm’s eclectic mix of poultry, livestock, and wildlife inhabitants.
The Krendl family has overseen Crooked Pines for the past 50 years, nurturing its transformation into a sustainable, organic operation focused on quality, pasture-raised products and immersive educational experiences. With a commitment to environmental stewardship and animal welfare, the farm has become a beloved destination for families seeking a taste of authentic farm life.
The Feisty Flock: Crooked Pines’ Colorful Residents
While the crops and orchards demand constant attention, it’s the farm’s diverse animal population that truly captivates visitors. From the clucking and flapping of heritage breed chickens to the braying of playful mini donkeys, every creature at Crooked Pines has a story and a distinct personality.
The most prominent members of the Crooked Pines flock are the chickens, a lively mix of Orpingtons, Wyandottes, and Rhode Island Reds. These hens strut and flutter with an air of regal confidence, their iridescent feathers shimmering in the sunlight as they forage for insects and scratch in the rich soil. But don’t be fooled by their regal appearance – these girls are scrappy, often chasing away intruding hawks and foxes with a fierce determination that belies their small stature.
Sharing the pastures are a trio of Sicilian miniature donkeys, affectionately known as the “Braying Bandits.” These charming creatures have developed a penchant for mischief, often escaping their fenced enclosure to roam the farm, braying loudly to announce their presence. Despite their diminutive size, these donkeys possess an abundance of personality, readily approaching visitors in search of carrots and cuddles.
Rounding out the Crooked Pines menagerie are a small herd of Katahdin sheep, a hardy, parasite-resistant breed prized for their meat and wool. While not as overtly boisterous as the chickens and donkeys, the sheep have their own endearing quirks. One ewe, aptly named Freckles, wears a bell around her neck, the gentle chimes announcing her presence as she grazes the lush pastures, occasionally pausing to nuzzle her newborn lambs.
Farming with Feistiness: A Sustainable Approach
At the heart of Crooked Pines Farm is a deep commitment to sustainable, regenerative agriculture. The Krendls employ a range of holistic practices to nurture the land and support the health and well-being of their animals.
All crops are grown using organic methods, with a focus on companion planting, mulching, and crop rotation to enhance soil fertility and suppress weeds and pests. The farm’s chickens play a vital role in this process, their constant scratching and foraging aerating the soil and distributing nutrient-rich manure.
The livestock, too, are cared for with the utmost attention to their needs. The sheep and donkeys are rotated through different pastures, allowing the land to rest and replenish. Their grazing helps maintain the diversity of grasses and wildflowers, creating a thriving ecosystem that supports a wide range of pollinators and other beneficial wildlife.
Engaging Families with Farm-Based Learning
Beyond producing high-quality, sustainable food, Crooked Pines is committed to sharing its agricultural bounty and educational resources with the local community. Throughout the year, the farm hosts a variety of family-friendly events and hands-on learning opportunities.
During the spring and summer months, visitors can join guided nature trails to explore the farm’s diverse habitats, from the riparian corridors along the creeks to the grassland meadows teeming with butterflies and songbirds. These immersive experiences allow children and adults alike to reconnect with the natural world and develop a deeper appreciation for the intricate web of life found on the farm.
As the seasons change, Crooked Pines offers a rich tapestry of seasonal activities. In the fall, families can participate in pumpkin picking, apple pressing, and cider making workshops, while winter brings opportunities for wreath making, candle dipping, and cozy farm-to-table cooking classes.
Throughout the year, the farm’s educational programs encourage hands-on learning about topics like soil health, animal husbandry, and sustainable gardening. Whether it’s feeding the chickens, meeting the donkeys, or getting their hands dirty in the vegetable beds, visitors leave Crooked Pines with a newfound understanding and respect for the rhythms of farm life.
A Sanctuary of Feisty Charm
At Crooked Pines Farm, the animals are the true stars of the show. From the sassy chickens to the mischievous donkeys, each creature embodies a unique personality that captivates and delights visitors. But beyond the charm and character, the farm’s holistic, regenerative approach to agriculture serves as an inspiring model for sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.
Whether you’re drawn to the farm for its educational programs, its seasonal events, or simply the opportunity to immerse yourself in the feisty flock, Crooked Pines offers a sanctuary where the wonders of nature and the rhythms of farm life converge. So come explore, interact, and revel in the quirky charm of this Appalachian oasis – where the land, the animals, and the people work in harmonious concert.
