Ah, the good life! That small, little farm you’ve always dreamed of. A few acres out in the country — but not too far — where you can raise some chickens, have a nice vegetable garden, maybe a few cows, and a horse or two for the grandchildren.
You’re thinking of a place like Barefoot Farms of Belton. Nestled in the rural — but not too rural — countryside outside of the quaint Upstate town of Belton, Barefoot Farms has it all. Sitting on about 25 acres, owners Steve and Kathy Whitby raise chickens (200, give or take), turkeys, cows, goats, pigs, horses, a mini-horse named Minnie Pearl, and assorted cats and dogs. There is also a nice sized garden where they grow okra, cabbage, collards, carrots, kale, and other vegetables to sell. Everything produced here is chemical free.
In reality, it’s Kathy Whitby who runs the farm on a daily basis, with occasional help from husband Steve, an independent real estate appraiser. Son Mathew Cruise, who lives in nearby Honea Path, stops by every so often to fix equipment. Granddaughter Abigail Mae Cruise, age 5, likes to visit the farm and lend a hand as well.
“I’m an old-fashioned farmer using modern equipment,” says Whitby. “I like to apply modern conveniences to old methods.”
She proudly shows off her workshop and retail space, which she is constantly upgrading and expanding to handle increased business. An engineer at heart, and trained in technical drafting and design, Whitby always has a project or two she is working on.
Now let’s think about those peaceful, idle days you’re planning on your dream farm. With lots of fishing and boating on the lake. Better think again.
Here is Whitby’s typical summer day, 7 days a week.
- 5:00 am Up with the chickens. Have a cup of coffee and plan the day.
- 5:30 am Go out to the garden and pick the okra.
- 8:00 am Check on the animals and feed them.
- 8:30 am Enjoy a healthy breakfast of yogurt.
- 9:00 am Back to the garden. Weeding and more picking. Mow the pastures.
- 11:00 am A healthy lunch of meat, cheese, and fruit.
- 12:00 pm To the sewing room to work on alterations and custom creations.
- 6:00 pm Check on the animals again. Pick up eggs.
- 7:00 pm Start supper.
- 10:00 pm Go to bed with the cows, as the old saying goes.
Most people don’t think about sewing and alternations in connection with a farm. When asked what the most profitable part of farming is, Whitby’s immediate response is, “Sewing and alterations!” When not doing farm chores or chasing down animals that have knocked down the fence and gone wandering, Whitby is working on projects for her clients in her other business, Abbi Mae’s closet.
“Sewing is a dying art,” sighs Whitby. She has been sewing since she was 10 years old. Today, she does a lot of alteration work, especially for weddings and proms. She designs and sews custom dresses for her more artistic customers who want unique creations.
So what does the family think of the idyllic farm life?
“I despised getting up in the early mornings to feed the animals and harvest the crops,” says daughter Carolyn Cruise, who is a property manager in Charleston. “But as I got older and left for college and began my own career, I realized how much more I loved being on the farm and how much I really miss it.”
Both Mathew and Carolyn want the farm to stay in the family.
“I hope that one day, when the time is right, I will be able to provide the same passion and love for the farm that my mother has,” reflects Carolyn.
And as for granddaughter Abbi Mae?
“The horses are my favorite animal,” she says. “But the chickens try to bite me.”
