Outdoors Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Inspired Southerner

Daniel Fagerman will debut Australian White Sheep Aug. 14 on his farm in Hartselle, Alabama

August 1, 2019 By Kara Kennedy

Sustainable Farming

As part of a sustainable farming network in Alabama, Daniel Fagerman is hoping to show attendees what makes Australian White USA so appealing. T Australian White sheep have less of an impact on the environment than cows; They also graze and browse. Like goats, not only do they eat grass, but they also eat brush, trees, and shrubbery.

Inspired Southerner Australian White Sheep — Fagerman Farm in Hartselle, Alabama

“These sheep are more appealing to producers because of their conversion of feed, their rapid rate of growth, their uniformity and ability to adapt to their environment,” said Fagerman. “These lambs have been successfully produced in the extreme cold of Mongolia and in the dry heat of Australia.”

Australian White Healthier Lamb

Australian White sheep are exceptional because they have been selectively bred for their meat quality. Their meat has lower fat-melting points, increased Omega 3’s, and increased intramuscular fat. Many people in the United States have a negative view of the lamb because it tastes gamey, but with the Australian White lamb, there is a significant taste difference.

Australian White Symposium

“This meat has similar positive effects of Wagyu,” Fagerman added. “In addition, the increase in Omega 3’s as compared to other lamb or red meat gives you a major health benefit and the “melt in your mouth” effect because of its fat-melting points. This factor gives people a much better eating experience. They have found these same two attributes in Wagyu also are in the Australian White sheep lamb meat, which gives consumers a more palatable taste. There is no other breed of sheep in the world that has been developed with these improved traits to provide a better consumer dining experience. Which means this product is more consistent in delivering these same values, over and over.”

Farmers and producers from all over the world are expected to attend the Australian White USA Symposium and Breed Debut to learn how to develop the breed, and the plan for its expansion across the U.S. and Central and South America.

Fagerman Farms After Party

Following the symposium, attendees and the general public will have the opportunity to see what makes Australian White lamb so special at the Fagerman Farm After Party. Chef Rick Vonk, an award-winning chef from Huntsville, Alabama will prepare the dinner. Vonk has put together a special six-course menu that will give guests a sampling of how the lamb can be cooked. “This dinner will be an eye-opening, history-making culinary experience,” said Rick Vonk. “Whatever preconceived opinions people have about lamb will hopefully be proven wrong at this dinner.”

After dinner, guests will be entertained by Brandon Elder, a season 16 American Idol contestant.

Get Your Ticket to the After Party

Don’t miss your chance to attend this once in a lifetime dinner. You will make history! Tickets are $100 per person. Click here to buy your ticket.

Alabama’s Cherokee Rock Village is a scenic mecca for hikers

July 1, 2019 By Rebekah Ledbetter

Inspired Southerner, Cherokee Rock Village — Cherokee Rock Village offer amazing views to hikers and campers

Just an hour and a half north of Birmingham, Alabama off I-59 lies a getaway with amazing views for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors. Cherokee Rock Village offers a scenic mecca for hikers and campers alike. It is a park you need to add to your list this year.

Little Rock City

Atop Lookout Mountain, Cherokee Rock Village is home to unique sandstone formations. Known to the locals as “Little Rock City”, it’s perfect for hikers and climbers of all skill levels.

For just $6 per car (more for passenger vehicles and overnighters), you get an all-access pass to the trail. If you follow the drive down to the lot you’ll be at the beginning on one of the park’s trails. Cherokee Rock Village has over 14 miles worth of trails for you to hike!

The trailhead is at an easy access point beside the parking lot. Be sure to have your map in hand and you’re ready to take off. Additionally, apps such as Alltrails have maps that are accessible through your phone! If you follow the trail to the left, you’ll almost immediately find the rock formation that will give you this amazing view.

Amazing Views

Most of the rocks are easy to climb and almost stair-like. Most noteworthy, the last major rock formation does require a bit of climbing, but it’s not hard, especially if you have a friend to lend a hand. Once you get to the top, you will have plenty of room to walk around or just sit to take in the amazing view From the top you will see Weiss Lake, a 50.19 square mile Lake known nationally for it’s Bass and Crappie fishing!

If you follow the trail and your map, you’ll be able to find a hidden cave that is hidden inside the sandstone formations.

Another sight to look out for at Cherokee Rock Village is the natural stone arch, formed from the erosion of the sandstone. It’s also a geocaching spot! Click here for more information!

Adventurous trailblazers can grab a map and follow the Diamond Trail, which is 7.1 miles long with an elevation of over 1000 feet. This trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. This elevation is why we call the Cherokee Rock Park a scenic mecca for hikers.

Secure Climbing Access

Furthermore, climbers also can find that some climbing routes have permanent anchors bolted into the rock, for easy and secure climbing access. So as long as you have your map, some good shoes, and bottled water, you will be set to explore all that Cherokee Rock Village has to offer.

Park Amenities

If you’re only staying for a day or overnight, the park offers amenities for campers and hikers. They include restrooms that double as storm shelters, showers, a picnic area, a camping area, a playground, a handicap accessible deck overlooking the mountain, and a designated camping area.

Cherokee Rock Village is a part of the Cherokee County Public Parks and Recreation system. For more info or to make reservations check out their website here.

Escape to this tiny home eco-retreat on 85 acres in North Central Alabama

May 12, 2019 By Kara Kennedy

Case Rock Cabin Inspired Southerner — Glenn and Rachel Evans built their sustainable tiny home on 85 acres on their farm.

Nestled in the woods on the banks of the Locust Fork River north of Birmingham, Alabama, Glenn and Rachel Evans have put their love of the environment and sustainability into everyday practice with their Case Rock Cabin a modern tiny home they built earlier this year as an eco-retreat on their farm in Blount County.

Glenn and Rachel built their tiny home as an eco-retreat on the back-side of their 85-acre farm, a mile and a quarter off of the nearest paved road. The cabin is only accessible by an ATV or four-wheel drive vehicle. Glenn, an electrical engineer, built it himself by hauling materials on top of a Polaris down steep terrain.

“We designed the home together,” said Rachel Evans, an artist and an Alabama teacher who home schools her children. “We wanted the project to be an example and a teachable moment for our children about environmental sustainability.”

Tiny home design

The home was designed with a modern, industrial aesthetic look and feel. It was built out of reclaimed and recycled materials with solar panels, a back-up generator, a water tank, a wood heater and a composting toilet.

Going off-grid

After they built it, Rachel and Glenn listed their tiny-home retreat on AirBnB. It’s an off-grid experience for those who want to get away from it all and unplug. When you arrive at this eco-retreat you will park your car, the hosts will check you in and you will then be driven to the cabin by UTV. Once you’re dropped off, it will be up to you to figure out how to get back and forth to your car or the main house. If the hosts are available, they will give you a ride to your car. The hosts also will schedule a checkout and pick up time for you at the end of your stay.

The perfect place to unplug

It has no wifi or TV and cell phone reception is spotty. But don’t fret, there is radio communication in case of an emergency. You’ll also have access to a blue-tooth speaker to play your tunes or podcasts. Once you arrive, you’ll be taught how to use the cabin’s electrical system, water system, and composting toilet. For back-up, there are YouTube videos available to show you as well. One special note is that there is no refrigerator so you’ll have to bring a cooler and ice, or you can purchase ice on site.

A dog friendly retreat

Bring your dog to Case Rock! Glenn and Rachel even provide pet bowls, old towels and pooper scooper bags; all you have to do is bring your dog’s crate, toys and food.

Case Rock sleeps six and has a composting toilet

The cabin sleeps six with two bedrooms, three beds and one bath. It’s stocked with breakfast foods including fresh eggs from Case Rock’s chickens. There is a one burner propane stove, an Instant Pot and gas grill for cooking; however, there is no oven. Shower outside in a shower heated by a propane instant hot water heater. For cooler days and nights there is a wood stove inside and for warmer days there are DC attic fans.

Guests staying at Case Rock also can bring their boats or tubes to use on Locust Fork River. There is only biking and hiking on the trails around the cabin. Guests are not allowed to drive or use motorized vehicles on these trails.

CaseRock Inspired Southerner — Guests can try their hand at fly fishing on the river.

Enjoy fly fishing or the white water rapids on the river

The river is relatively is located at the upper eastern end of the Warrior River Basin. The river is one of three major tributaries of the Black Warrior River that stretches across Blount, Etowah and Marshall counties. The area is very scenic and popular because of its white water and the area is great for hiking. Canoers and kayakers from all over the Southeast flock to the area during the spring and summer to try out the river’s world-class rapids. As far as Case Rock’s availability, Rachel and Glenn say it’s booked all of May and most of June.

Book now on AirBnB

“There are projects ongoing at our farm and we complete them together as a family,” said Rachel. “We love animals, traveling and camping. We meet so many interesting people when we travel. Case Rock is a way for us to combine everything we love about our farm and share it with the world in hopes of teaching people about the environment, sustainability and how to “unplug,” if only for a moment.”

You can follow the story of Case Rock Cabin on Instagram @caserockcabin or book your stay on AirBnB.

In a Vase on Monday: Zinnias and Buddleja

July 9, 2018 By Terri Robertson

Since this is my first In a Vase on Monday post on Inspired Southerner, let me begin with an explanation.

As a novice Southern gardener, In a Vase on Monday, or IAVOM, is my biggest blogging inspiration. If all else fails, I can go in my yard and figure out something to plunk in a vase and write about. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with other gardeners.

Forgotten and Found: Goldenrod

July 3, 2018 By Terri Robertson

T's Southern Garden Blog — Bee in flight. Photo by Terri Robertson

“No, my aunt wasn’t much of a gardener,” said the visitor.

“Oh,” I said, trying not to look disappointed.

Flame-haired and cheerful, the visitor chatting on my carport was the niece of the original owner of our 1960 home. She had popped by while driving home to Virginia from vacation in Florida. I wasn’t expecting her. I was in leggings and an old t-shirt and in the middle of laundry, but when she introduced herself I was curious to glean some house history.