Farm Business Features Bin House And More

Farm Business Features Bin House And More “This farm was headed for industrial development or big-box retail, but I bought it because I wanted to see it remain a farm with happy, healthy animals and thriving crops,” says Alabama farmer Jon Fleenor. He and his wife’s 640-acre “Katie Farms” is located near the Tuscaloosa National Airport. Fleenor and his wife, Margaret, have added one enterprise after another since purchasing the property in 2007. They love to show it off to schoolchildren, senior citizens and anyone else. Visitors see free-range chickens and long-haired Scottish Highland beef cattle, taste fresh honey, pick their own blueberries, and pet the barn cats in Katie Farm’s “catuary.” The couple’s passion for sharing the wonders and beauty of their farm animals and bountiful vegetables was one of the reasons they were named County Farmer of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Tuscaloosa. The farm maintains 10 acres of tilled ground for heirloom vegetables, 200 acres of pasture for cattle, and the remaining area in native timber and wetlands. The rich garden soil produces heirloom purple sweet potatoes, tomatoes, okra, onions, garlic, purple new potatoes, corn, peppers and summer squash. Much of the produce is sold to local restaurants in the Tuscaloosa area. Several restaurants highlight and promote “vegetables grown within a few miles of this restaurant on a local family farm.” On the advice of a neighbor, the couple started keeping honeybees to help pollinate their open-pollinated vegetable crops. They keep about a dozen hives and have been able to sell some of them locally. Fleenor planned a beef cow-calf herd from the start and considered all breeds, finally settling on the Scottish Highland. He says they’re the oldest registered cattle breed and seemed like a good fit for their farm. Fleenor has sold more than 50 registered Highland bulls to producers. He also crosses his Highland bulls with Red Angus cows and has trademarked the name Highland Red for the resulting breed. Fleenor says the cross produces “the most desirable traits of both breeds, including well-marbled meat.” Another attraction at Katie Farms is a well-furnished two-story apartment. Jon and Margaret designed and built it from a 24-ft. dia. grain bin in their spare time. Jon purchased the bin in Montana and had it trucked to Alabama. They worked on the project for two years, installing living, sleeping and eating quarters. Jon says the toughest part was figuring out how to install square windows in the circular bin walls. They positioned the windows to catch the winter sun and offer a view of the pastures and their herd of Highland cattle. The couple doesn’t live at Katie Farms. Jon says the bin house “is our little getaway spot.” It’s also available to relatives or farm guests traveling through the area. Jon and Margaret say that in their operation, the mission focuses on outreach. “We’re eager to provide agri-education in Western Alabama and are proud to have introduced farm life to groups such as YMCA day campers, students of all ages, Girl Scouts, OLLI participants, and senior living facility residents.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Katie Farms, 11160 Lake Robinwood Rd., Coker, Ala. 35452 (jfleenor@hiwaay.net; Facebook: Katie Farms).

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