Farms + Barns w/side of Cornbread

🎙️ Episode #6: Grit, Grace & Gravy – Women Supporting Women in Western North Carolina

In this soulful episode of Barns + Farms w/side of Cornbread, we’re pulling up chairs, pouring sweet tea, and diving into a conversation that celebrates real women, real grit, and a whole lot of grace. We’re joined by powerhouse voices from Thrive WNC Women’s Entrepreneur Network—Amy Steele and Sarah Stokes—alongside special guest Meg Montgomery, a whole-animal butcher at Foothills Butchery in Black Mountain, NC.
Together, we unpack what it truly means to build each other up as women in business, especially in the heart of Southern Appalachia. From networking events to meaningful mentorship, the Thrive WNC Women’s Entrepreneur Network is cultivating a space where female founders and dream-chasers can grow, collaborate, and thrive.
With Meg at the table, we also dig into what it’s like being a woman in the traditionally male-dominated field of butchery—and how she’s carving her path (literally and figuratively) with strength and skill.
 So grab your slice of cornbread, settle in, and join us for this nourishing episode.
👉 Learn more about Foothills Butchery: ⁠Foothills Butchery⁠👉 Follow Thrive WNC Women's Network: I⁠nstagram - ThriveWNCwen

🎙️ Episode 5: The Legacy and Evolution of Packa’s Place – A Story of Family, Farming, and Community

🎙️ Episode 5: The Legacy and Evolution of Packa’s Place – A Story of Family, Farming, and Community
In this episode, we return to Horse Shoe, NC to Packa’s Place, where the 6th-generation of a remarkable farming family continues to honor their roots while embracing the future. Named after their grandmother, Packa, this farm carries a legacy of innovation and connection—starting with the unique heritage of raising and processing Beefalo (intrigued? Listen and find out just what Beefalo is!)
But Packa’s Place became more than a farm—it’s a thriving hub of agritourism, community, and creativity. What started as a pandemic-driven idea for a pumpkin patch has flourished into something much bigger. Today, the farm is alive with artisan markets, food trucks, local beer, and seasonal events, all designed to bring people together.
Join us as we dive into their journey—how they’re preserving history while adapting to the modern world, the challenges and triumphs of running a multi-generational farm, and their light-hearted vision for the future. It’s a conversation about passion and the power of community.
🎧 Tune in and get inspired by the story of Packa’s Place!

🎙️ Episode 4: Cornbread – More Than Just a Side

Cornbread. It's more than just a comfort food. It's a history, and for many of us, a it’s even more. It’s a feeling, a nostalgia, and a connection to our past.
 Today, we're diving deep into what cornbread means to different people—from nostalgia and family traditions to the flavors that define a region.
We'll hear from the Noble & Company Real Estate Team about their personal connections to cornbread, and then we'll sit down with a local chef who shares how cornbread ties into his roots, his cooking, and our community. So grab a plate, get cozy, and let’s talk all things cornbread!

🎙️ Episode #3: Rising Through the Storm with Christopher Catino & Chef Eric Morris of Hell or High Water

🎙️ Episode #3: Rising Through the Storm with Christopher Catino & Chef Eric Morris of Hell or High Water
In this episode of Farms + Barns w/side of Cornbread, we dive deep into the story behind Hell or High Water, Black Mountain’s culinary gem located in the historic Icehouse building. Our special guests, Christopher Catino (Director Of Operations) and Chef Eric Morris, take us on a journey through passion, perseverance, and community spirit.
Discover how the dynamic team of Foothills Farm and Butchery under its founders, Casey and Amanda McKissikbrought their vision to life with dishes that spotlight locally sourced excellence, a hallmark of the Foothills Local Meatslegacy. There is so much that weaves into this story of farmers, respect for animals, community, and resilience.
We’ll also unravel the roots of The Grange, the powerful beginnings of Foothills Meats, and a sneak peek at the upcoming menu inspirations for Hell or Highwater - hint: there’s cornbread involved!
Most importantly, hear how their name, Hell or High Water, symbolizes their rise to success and community resilience following the trials of Hurricane Helene.
 
🔥 This episode is a must-listen for food lovers, entrepreneurs, and community builders alike.
👉 Learn more about Hell or High Water:⁠Hell or High Water - Foothills Local Meats⁠
👉 Discover Foothills Local Meats:⁠Foothills Local Meats

🎙️ Episode #2: Rising Strong – Olive Branch Cattle Company’s Hurricane Helene Story

Hey y’all! Welcome back toBarns + Farms w/ a Side of Cornbread! This week, hostShayne Hollifield sits down withHaley from Olive Branch Cattle Company in Marion, NC, to talk about something that goes way beyond farming—it’s about heart, resilience, and the power of community. 
WhenHurricane Helene came through, farmers across Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina faced devastating losses. But in the face of hardship, something incredible happened—people from all over the country stepped up, and Olive Branch Cattle Company became an unexpected hub of hope.Hay, feed, supplies, and kindness poured in, and Haley was right in the middle of it all, witnessing firsthand what happens when neighbors (near and far) show up for one another. God had his hands all over WNC!
In this episode, we talk about:🌾 How Olive Branch Cattle Company turned into a distribution center overnight💪 The grit and generosity that fueled recovery efforts🚜 Why farmers helping farmers is a bond like no other❤️ The unexpected moments that reminded Haley what community is all about
So grab a seat (maybe even a slice of cornbread) and settle in—this is a story about farmers, friendship, and finding light in the darkest storms. 
🎧 Tune in now on Spotify!
Show Notes:Props go to:
April Johnson
Dylan of Satterwhite Dairy Farm
Joy and Steve from texas (⁠https://www.brownstonechurch.com/⁠)
Tractor Supply Company (⁠https://www.tractorsupply.com/?cid=Search-Google-TSC_TSC-Brand-TSC%20Brand&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=TSC_TSC&utm_content=Brand&utm_term=TSC%20Brand&cid=Google-Search&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADnTm22V4mF7Wlsaukj3zGEKYkjzj&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-5a9BhCBARIsACwMkJ7aRdKnphwU5Zs1v1-hX7jrX82iQbnILutO_d4bWRXQmO6A0vwMcQ4aAtAmEALw_wcB⁠
Ohio crew
Native Roofing (⁠https://www.nativeroofing828.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=wix_google_business_profile&utm_campaign=11532894631253467985⁠)
Oilve Branch Cattle Company (⁠https://www.olivebranchcattleco.com⁠)
 
 

Episode #1: Unexpected Kinship: Jade Creek Arabians in Horse Shoe, North Carolina

"In the blink of an eye, something completely unexpected can occur that will alter the future in unpredictable ways. On a late spring evening in 1992, Manny Lawrence was having dinner with his close friends Don and Elizabeth Filpot, who were keenly interested in Arabian horses. Not being a horseman himself, Manny was amused to hear his friends discussing their excitement over their plans to attend the 25th birthday party of the Arabian stallion Khemosabi++++// (Amerigo x Jurneeka, by Fadjur).
Although Manny wasn’t quite able to comprehend how going to a birthday party for a horse could generate such excitement, before he knew it he had agreed to join his friends on their weekend excursion. By the time Manny and the Filpots arrived in the Santa Ynez Valley, a crowd of fans had already gathered at Delongpré Arabians to pay homage to their hero.
Little did Manny know, that he was about to experience the awakening of his inner horseman! He describes joining the adoring group gathered along the fence line, “Khemo was entertaining everyone, and then he stopped in front of me, and I could have sworn that he introduced himself. He was one of the most charismatic living creatures I had ever encountered. It was within the next 48 hours that I purchased the first of my many Arabian horses."
[excerpt from jadecreek.com]
Manny Lawrence and Lori Morss and their Arabians now live in the beautiful Horse Shoe, North Carolina-nestled just between Asheville and Hendersonville, nibbling on green grass, breathing this gorgeous mountain air, and enjoying a bite of cornbread from neighbors.
It's what the WNC Mountains are all about.
⁠www.jadecreek.com⁠
⁠Jade Creek Arabians Facebook Page⁠
⁠Jade Creek Arabians Instagram Page⁠
 
You can learn more about Shayne Hollifield by visiting her Real Estate Brokerage in Black Mountain, North Carolina:
⁠https://nc-realty.com⁠
⁠Shayne's Facebook page⁠
⁠Shayne's Instagram Page⁠
⁠Noble & Company Youtube Channel⁠
 
Stay tuned for Barns + Farms w/ side of cornbread website