Cynthia Shaffer | Red Clay Farm
Photos by Vityl Media
In 2008, Cynthia Shaffer and her husband Ron left the city to pursue country life. Now, after 16 years of farming, the couple live on and operate Red Clay Farm, a 53-acre property in Cleveland, Tennessee. “Being on the farm has allowed us to become more sustainable,” Shaffer says. “It is not always the romantic fantasy you may envision, but the reward is having a place where we can enjoy God’s creation through our work.”
With about 24 acres dedicated to farmland, Red Clay Farm is full of plant and animal life. Alpacas and sheep enjoy each other’s company in open fields, and once a year the animals are sheared for their fleece and wool fibers. Horses, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats also enjoy life on the farm. The gardens grow certified organic produce and beautiful flowers, and the farm is home to an indoor garden specialized for growing micro-greens and a grain mill. Ensuring fresh stoneground milled grains every time, the mill’s offerings include all-purpose flour, pastry flour, corn meal, corn grits, rye flour, pumpernickel flour, oat flour, and more.
To keep the homestead running efficiently, the Shaffers stay busy – sometimes working 24-hour days. Their daily chores include feeding and watering the animals, collecting eggs, garden maintenance, milling grains, packaging products, and baking a variety of breads and baked goods. In addition to planting wildflowers, sunflowers, and sorghum, the Shaffers’ son Seth designs the crop layout for each season. Challenges on the farm, such as unexpected weather or repair needs, keep them hard at work. On Shearing Day, the farm is especially busy. The all-day event requires a professional shearer, and the community is invited to visit the farm to view the shearing process and purchase raw fiber, roving, and yarn.
When they aren’t working on the farm, the Shaffers have a passion for connecting with their surrounding community. At local farmer’s markets, they enjoy meeting customers and educating them about seasonal produce. They deliver an organic CSA program in the warmer months, and year-round, their Community Supported Bakery (CSB) program offers fresh, healthy breads for pick up each week.
Life at Red Clay Farm is about working hard and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. While the homesteading lifestyle might not be for everyone, Shaffer advises aspiring homesteaders to ask questions, find educational resources, and stay focused on their goals. “Do your research, and make sure you are up for hard work,” she says. “It’s worth it!”