Tag Archives: family-run farms Georgia

Rooted in Family: Cress Creeks Sheep Farm Brings Farming, Flavor, and Fun to Ellijay

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Ellijay, GA |

What began as a family trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains turned into something much more for Lee and Mindy Forbes. After visiting from Florida, they fell in love with the peaceful North Georgia setting—but weren’t sure what kind of future it held for them. That changed with one question to their son.

“We had kids that were just coming out of high school and asked them what they wanted to do with their futures,” says Lee Forbes. “Our son Hayden said he wanted to be a farmer. So, this was really set up as a namesake for him.”

That moment sparked the beginning of Cress Creeks Sheep Farm, a family-run operation now thriving in the mountains of Ellijay. More than a business, the farm has become a new way of life—one the family wouldn’t trade for anything.

“I enjoy the peace,” says Mindy Forbes. “No traffic, no honking, no noise. I absolutely love the animals and feeding them every morning. They become your friends.”

Lee agrees, saying the work may be constant, but it never feels like a burden.

“It is a daily experience for sure,” he says. “But when you wake up wanting to go to work, doing something you love, it’s not a challenge to get out of bed in the morning.”

Their commitment to raising sheep year-round—paired with intentional breed selection—has set their lamb apart from imported meat commonly found on grocery shelves.

“You’ll find that a lot of imported lamb comes from wool-producing sheep,” explains Lee. “Those breeds produce lanolin, which gives the meat a much gamier flavor. We’ve chosen an American hair sheep from Vermont that sheds like a dog and doesn’t produce that oil, resulting in a milder, more steak-like taste.”

That unique flavor has helped grow interest in their farm store, which now sees more than twice the foot traffic it did just a year ago. But lamb isn’t the only thing drawing customers in.

“We carry our lamb, of course,” says Mindy. “But we also have pork, chicken, beef, in-house baked goods, local wines, honey, and handmade gifts and goodies from other farmers and artisans in the area.”

For the Forbes family, supporting local agriculture goes hand in hand with community education. That’s why Cress Creeks also offers farm tours, hayrides, and seasonal farm-to-table dinners—experiences that have quickly become a favorite part of the job.

“I think that’s probably one of my favorite things,” Mindy says. “We did this for families. Whether it’s the corn maze, Easter egg hunt, or Christmas events—it’s for people to make memories. When they come out and say they want their kids to see sheep, and those kids get to hold baby lambs, that’s something amazing.”

“Kids and their families today don’t get to spend as much time together,” adds Lee. “So having a place where they can come and make memories—that’s important.”

By: Damon Jones

Red Tip Farms: Family Lessons, Fresh Eggs & a Berry Sweet Business in Pike County

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Meansville, GA |

After years of planning and preparation, Red Tip Farms in Meansville officially opened its gates last May—bringing fresh produce, eggs, and hands-on experiences to the local community through its U-Pick operation and farm market. For owner Terry Batchelor, the project is more than just a business—it’s a way to instill hard work and financial responsibility in the next generation.

“To have this piece of property here, I live next door. And so, was able to utilize this and was like, hey, what better chance than to put in a U-Pick operation?” says Batchelor. “It has done really well and grown every year. It’s been a blessing and showed my kids the value of a dollar—being able to work and not just hand out money. It’s really taught them life lessons for sure.”

With the cost and scarcity of eggs drawing concern in recent months, the farm’s small-scale egg production has been a hit among visitors, who are quick to snatch up cartons as soon as they’re available.

“We’re very small—we have just fifteen, twenty chickens. And yes, this year has definitely seen a big increase in demand for eggs,” says Batchelor. “As quick as I put them out there, they’re gone, usually within the day.”

Amid heightened awareness surrounding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Batchelor is taking added precautions—paying close attention to his chickens’ health and feeding them a diet largely sourced from his own row crops.

“My chickens seem to be pretty healthy. We feed them whole grains because of the row crop side of things. I’m involved with growing wheat and corn, and I feed them that type of stuff versus processed food,” he explains.

Still, the main attraction at Red Tip Farms remains the U-Pick berries—specifically blueberries and blackberries—which are expected to be available early next month. And according to Batchelor, things are looking promising.

“So far, we are blessed this year. Blackberries are looking great. Blueberries—we’ve dodged a few cold mornings, but we’ve been fortunate. We do have a bumper crop so far,” he says. “Of course, we’re still a few weeks out from being in the clear, but this year is looking good.”

Helping drive visitors to the farm is its participation in Georgia Farm Bureau’s Certified Farm Markets program—an initiative Batchelor says has significantly boosted visibility and sales.

“It has definitely gotten me way more customers that would have never found me out here,” says Batchelor. “Even though we’re on a state highway, they would’ve never come to the Meansville or Pike County area. It’s been a blessing—more revenue for me and a good thing for Farm Bureau, too.”

For Red Tip Farms, it’s a story of growth rooted in community, education, and a shared love of agriculture.