Enjoy a ‘life on the farm’ weekend getaway

As the leaves change and the air cools, a weekend getaway in the great outdoors sounds increasingly tempting. And down U.S. 280 in Harpersville, about a 25-minute drive from Inverness Corners, the beautiful Stone Hollow Farmstead offers just the experience.

During weekends on the farm, families are invited to sample fresh ingredients and experience rare farm delights such as feeding a two-day-old baby goat.

“I never planned to have a dairy, never planned to have a cannery,” Farm Owner Deborah Stone said. “But after 9-11, it became all about being sustainable.” 

Stone, who grew up on a farm in Trussville, spent 30 years in the aesthetic, cosmetic and spa industry before founding Stone Hollow Farmstead in 1999 with her husband and two children. What started out as a European horse breeding facility has now blossomed into the home of a variety of farm animals, herb and vegetable garden, cannery, creamery and skin care line.

 Stone said she incorporates her knowledge of longevity and beauty into her farming practices.

“If you want to be sustainable, there’s always a learning curve,” Stone said. “My family has been a great resource.”

Inside the creamery, a chef whips up a fresh creation such as butter infused with Parmesan and garlic. The cannery offers handmade jams, syrups and honey made from on-site honeybees. 

Additionally, Stone grows and harvests her own ingredients for her line of skin care products. She sells her farm products at The Pantry in Crestline Village. Unique treats include blackberry wine butter, strawberry jalapeño jam, lemon verbena lemonade, fresh cheese and honey.

“We make all our butter and yogurt from the cow’s milk,” Stone said.

This fall, the farm is offering a variety of new classes including farm schools, which are designed to introduce both children and adults to sustainable farming practices and animal welfare. They are held the first three Saturdays of each month, increasing in advancement levels each week. Farm School 101 is $30 while Farm School 102 and 103 are $55 each.

 During these “life on the farm Saturdays,” children have the opportunity to play with baby goats, retrieve chicken eggs, learn about herbs and vegetables in the garden and visit with all the farm animals.

“We have anywhere between 30 and 75 baby goats being born a year,” Stone said. “It’s an exciting thing to watch.”

Children and their families are also invited to the tasting station, where they can sample crackers with fresh cheese, honey, dolce de leche caramel sauce, goat’s milk, and homemade jams and syrups. Adult classes on Sundays offer a more in-depth look at the process behind farming technology. These sessions are $200 per session.

In addition to the classes, Stone said the farm plans to hold cooking classes throughout November featuring different speakers and fancy herbal cocktails, a salt bar, appetizers, juicing, smoothies, and tips for pairing beers, wines and cheeses.

“We personally develop all the recipes here,” Stone said.

For more information about the farm and class offerings, visit stonehollowfarmstead.com.