Episode 476: Extending the Season with a From-the-Farm Product Line, with Natasha McCrary of 1818 Farms in Mooresville, Alabama

Natasha McCrary of 1818 Farms (right), with Shea Cream from the farm's product line Today's guest, Natasha McCrary, and I first met when we started following one another on social media. Naming her business 1818 Farms was a brilliant move, because it's kind of unforgettable. And her IG feed is filled with lots of charming images of flora and fauna -- by fauna, I am specifically talking about the Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep who reside at 1818 Farms in Mooresville, Alabama. These animals are so prominent at 1818 Farms, there's an illustration of one on the farm's branding and logo. Natasha will tell the story in much more detail, but here's a bit: Miniature Southdown sheep originated on the South Down hills of Sussex County, England in the 1700s. In 1986-91, after becoming almost extinct, 350 sheep with the original bloodlines were located and a registry was formed. The name Olde English Babydoll Southdown can only be used for sheep that have been accepted by the registry. Babydolls are outstanding pets that produce fleece that is in the class of cashmere, a hand spinner’s delight. They provide organic weeding and make excellent companion animals. Their gentle nature makes them a joy to own! Some of the sheep at 1818 Farms -- too cute for words!!! Natasha writes more about the sheep at 1818 Farms on her website: “The idea for this family project originated with my eight year old child, who fell in love with the Babydoll Southdown Sheep that he met at a petting farm we visited in October 2011. Owning a Babydoll was all he could talk about, so, thinking this would be fun and educational for our family to do together, I began researching where to buy a few lambs to raise as a family project on our land here in Mooresville. And then, as Gamble, my 8 year-old entrepreneur, began to plan what he was going to do with his sheep: sell the wool, sell the manure to garden shops, charge for photographs, and even stage a Nativity scene at the church if he could find a baby, I began to dream my own plans for a small profitable farm where we could teach our children to appreciate the land and animals and to be good conservationists. We also wanted to teach them the importance of being self-sustaining." The pavilion (left) and Natasha (right) Located on three acres in the northwest corner of the historic village of Mooresville, AL (pop. 58), 1818 Farms is named for the year Mooresville was incorporated, one year before Alabama became a state. Events of all types have been hosted in the garden, under the pavilions and in the adjacent Garden House. Pre-COVID, the events included Bloom Strolls, supper and garden club gatherings, and “Farm to Table” dinners hosted by some of the area’s top chefs all take place on our farm. The popular flower truck The Garden House has been home to a series of classes including: raised bed gardening, food preservation, seed starting, raising backyard chickens, wreath making and flower preparation and arranging. Natasha moved some of that education to the new 1818 Farms' You Tube channel during COVID and you'll hear us discuss that in our conversation. The flower fields at 1818 Farms 1818 Farms’ bath and beauty products have evolved as an important facet of the McCrary family's farm-based business. that really work. The farm's popular animals appear on the labels of products including Farrah Fawcett’s Bath Tea, Clover’s Lip Smack and Sweet Pea and her scented Shea Creme. In 2019, Natasha's hard work was recognized with 1818 Farms winning Amazon's United States Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. I know you'll enjoy our conversation and be inspired by Natasha's tips and suggestions, especially for adding a non-perishable product line to create a revenue stream year-round. Natasha during flower harvest Find and follow 1818 Farms at these social places: 1818 Farms on Facebook 1818 Farms on Instagram 1818 Farms on YouTube