“Letters from Laura” offer personal insights, stories, and commentary on the life and business at Mt. Folly Farm, with a strong focus on climate-smart farming practices. Through these letters, Laura shares her journey of sustainable agriculture, the challenges and successes of running a farm, and her commitment to preserving the environment. These reflections provide a unique glimpse into the farm’s operations and Laura’s dedication to making a positive impact on the land and community.
“Last month, Mt. Folly Enterprises, the parent company for Laura’s Mercantile, The Mercantile on Main, and Wildcat Willy’s Distillery, was awarded a prestigious 5-year grant from the USDA to help farmers adopt practices that benefit the environment in measurable ways.” Letter from Laura. Full Spectrum CBD made from USDA-certified organic hemp grown at Mt. Folly Farm. Laura’s Mercantile. Winchester, KY
Dear Friends, Fall is here, the silage for our winter feed is up, and our plans turn to harvest, cover crops, complex rotations, grass and soil diversity. Per my last letter, I’ve paid a visit to our friends the Halls, at The Troublesome Creek Times in Hindman, Knott County.* There, I spent an afternoon, delivering supplies…
Dear Friends, And the winner is Julia Truitt Poynter! Thanks to all who signed up for the Mt. Folly Farm newsletter and entered to win a stay at the Homestead. Julia and I will tour the farm, visit the distillery and the new Mercantile on Main, see our downtown. She plans to visit in October…
Dear Friends, At Mt. Folly farm, we are doing big things, simply. We are part of the drawdown movement, which seeks to sequester carbon dioxide in plants, trees and soils. We have long been a part of the organic movement as well, for us meaning our products are raised in soils, part of the underground…
Dear Friends, Last week we hosted a garden club here. We talked first at the Homestead Cabin, then toured on a tractor-pulled farm wagon. Necessarily, these tours are but a snapshot of what we do at Mt. Folly. One of the most innovative undertakings for the year (and for many years to come, I believe)…
Saplings and seedlings, sprigs, and sprouts oh my! Trees all around the world are starting their lives this very week. Humankind celebrates this holiday of the future of these trees as they sequester carbon, create unique micro-ecosystems for our forests and woodlots, provide shade to rotationally graze livestock and stand tall while fighting soil erosion…
March was Women’s History Month, and to celebrate, Laura asked for stories about the “women who’ve been role models, inspired you, accomplished the impossible, and have improved the well-being of humanity.” We received several heartwarming stories and we have compiled them here for you to read. Submitted by Jan Ward: My grandmother born in 1892…
Dear Friends, March is women’s history month. As a woman, I’d rather an eon than a month, which we deserve. Still, I ask you to send me a vignette, long or short, about the women who’ve been role models, inspired you, accomplished the impossible, and have improved the well-being of humanity. I’ll get these notes…
Dear Friends, At the fall equinox, farmers pause to reflect on the growing season, with harvest upon us. Here at Mt. Folly, I’m dispensing with happy talk. From Covid to climate, the year has been rough, so rough I’ve had to summon my inner mule. Here is the back story, some of which you may know:…
Dear Friends, Yes, I’m stubborn. At a close friend’s birthday party, she circled her guests around, and recognized each of us for what she admired. Was I brilliant? No. Was I beautiful? No. I had the quality of “perseverance.” Let’s just say I’ve embraced my inner mule. Here, you see me with Bingo, our Jerusalem…