Fore Saws Farm News - Issue No. 5, December 2025 & January 2026

Taylor Sawyer
Jan 31
6 min read

Dear Friends of the Farm,

I'm writing to you today nestled in a fuzzy blanket and watching a pretty miraculous winter wonderland develop outside on the farm. Snow days here always seem to have a little extra sparkle and perhaps that's why I'm feeling so inspired to write to you, friends, about life on the farm this winter.

Farming in a winter wonderland

As many of you know, this winter has been a different one here on the farm—honestly, unlike any I remember growing up in Asheville. We like to joke that Fore Saws Farm sits right in the middle of a polar vortex. No matter what the rest of Asheville is experiencing, chances are we’re getting arctic temps, howling north winds, and a healthy dose of snow and ice. Between the below-zero wind chills, frozen ground, and slick mornings, there’s no doubt—we truly had a winter this year.

Our top priority through it all has been making sure every resident of Fore Saws Farm stayed happy, healthy, and most importantly—warm. We’ve been busy assembling stalls so the ponies and donkeys could tuck into the barn on the coldest nights, adding a windbreak to the cow palace to give our Highlands extra protection from that brutal north wind, and even installing a plastic door cover on the goat house so our goaties could stay nice and toasty as temperatures dipped.

When it comes to animal safety in extreme cold, the golden rule is simple: keep everyone dry. A very close second? Keep everyone out of the wind. We were intentional in choosing hardy breeds—ponies, cows, and goats built for mountain winters—but let’s be honest… these animals are family. And when family is cold, we tend to go a little overboard. Case in point: my frantic last-minute search for goat coats before the most recent storm. I know, I know—but we couldn’t stand the thought of Willie and Bonnie shivering. So yes, our Nubians are now officially the poshest goats on the mountain, sporting fuzzy windbreakers like true winter royalty.

Winter care also brings extra work behind the scenes—heated water buckets to prevent freezing, plenty of hay as grass goes dormant, and more frequent check-ins as icy conditions make everything a bit trickier. It’s more hands-on, more intentional, and requires a whole lot of vigilance to keep everyone thriving.

It’s with heavy hearts that we also share we experienced our first loss on the farm this month. One day our sweet Clyde—one half of our Nubian twin duo—just wasn’t himself. We called in Dr. Gabby (truly the best farm vet on the planet), but as anyone who knows goats will tell you, they’re incredibly tough… until suddenly they’re not. While we may never know exactly why Clyde left us too soon, we’re grateful the rest of the herd is healthy and doing well. He’ll always be part of our farm story.

Life on the farm has a way of teaching lessons you can’t really learn anywhere else—chief among them, how quickly things can change. Each season asks something different of us, calls us to show up in new ways, and reminds us how much is truly out of our control. I feel that deeply not just as a "farmer", but as a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a friend. It’s a quiet nudge to hold onto faith during the hard seasons, and to savor the good ones while they’re here—because they, too, are fleeting. That truth is comforting, heartbreaking, and beautiful all at once… and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

So yes—winter hasn’t been easy around here. And let’s just say we’re all more than ready for spring on the farm. Bring on warmer days, longer evenings, extra animal snuggles before sunset… and the return of feeling in our fingers and toes.

Welcome to the World, Baby Luna!

While this season has brought loss, it has also brought beautiful new life. We are overjoyed to introduce our farm family to sweet baby Luna. In what felt like a true blessing, Daphne welcomed her girl at the very start of January—right in the middle of an unexpected pocket of warm, dry weather. It gave both mama and baby a gentle, comfortable window to recover from such a big arrival, and we couldn’t have asked for better timing.

Of course, Luna made her entrance with just a touch of drama—because naturally, our newest girl is already living up to her diva reputation. Daphne’s labor was much longer than Mariah’s, and we were starting to worry she might need a helping hand. But just as we were gearing up to jump in, here came Luna, making her grand debut right on her own terms.

From the very beginning, Luna made it clear she is nothing like Hyatt when it comes to personality. While Hyatt stayed close to mama, Luna immediately declared her independence—politely ignoring Daphne’s pleas and heading straight for fence lines and world exploration. (Any parent of a strong-willed little girl will understand Daphne’s exhaustion... I know I do!) That independence meant none of us slept much those first nights, as we navigated a series of late-night, CIA-level relocations back to the barn to keep Luna safe—and Daphne reassured.

Adding to the stress, Luna didn’t immediately take to nursing, which had us understandably concerned. Those first few days were filled with round-the-clock care, supplemental feedings, and lots of quiet encouragement to make sure she was getting exactly what she needed. The relief we felt when she finally nursed for the first time is hard to put into words—especially knowing the first round of icy weather was right around the corner. Little Luna found her groove just in time, gaining strength before winter made itself known, and we are endlessly grateful for that small miracle.

We’re happy to report that both Luna and Daphne are now thriving. Just this week, we opened their side of the palace so they could join Hyatt and Mariah, and watching the herd come together has been pure joy. Hyatt is thrilled to have a new friend, and seeing Luna race across the field with her baby cow zoomies has been one of the brightest spots of this winter season.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We’re feeling so excited about what 2026 holds here on the farm. At the start of this month, we officially released our farm calendar on the website, and it’s filled to the brim with joyful gatherings, meaningful moments, and a whole lot of farm fun—for both families and grown-ups alike.

Along with the farm tours, Highland experiences, and seasonal traditions you loved last year, we’re adding a few new offerings we’ve been dreaming up. This summer, we’ll be hosting Sunrise Goat Yoga on select Saturdays—a peaceful, joy-filled way to start your day surrounded by fresh air, gentle movement, and our curious goaties.

And to officially kick off spring, we’re going big. On Saturday, April 4th, we’ll be hosting an EPIC Easter celebration with an egg hunt and fun for all ages. Expect delicious eats from local food trucks, bounce houses for the kids (and kids at heart), axe throwing, festive face painting, and plenty of time to soak up snuggles with the beloved animals of Fore Saws Farm in our petting zoo. Oh—and rumor has it, we may be welcoming a very special holiday guest, too. 🐰

Check out the full list of fun here and mark your calendars! https://www.foresawsfarm.com/

NEW OFFERINGS: Birthday Parties & Field trips

We’re also so excited to share that we’re now offering birthday party packages—complete with pony rides—and school field trips here on the farm! We’re already booking into spring, so if this is something you’ve been dreaming up for your little ones or your classroom, we’d love for you to reach out soon so we can save a spot for you on our calendar. You can find all the details on our website, and I’m always happy to answer questions.

As we wrap up, wherever this snowy season finds you, please know how grateful we are that you’re sharing a little piece of it with us. From the very beginning, our hope for this farm has been that it could be a place of rest—a space where time slows, hearts feel lighter, and joy and gratitude have room to grow. Wherever you are today, we’re sending warm hugs and so much love your way.

Thank you for supporting our small farm and for walking alongside us in this wildly beautiful journey.

With love and gratitude,

Taylor