Events

CHRISTMAS TREE SALES 11/28/2014

Ayers-Kreh Christmas Tree Farm Opens on Friday, Saturday & Sunday beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving & continuing up to the Friday before Christmas. This year, there are only THREE weekends between Thanksgiving & Christmas, so don't wait too long to get your tree. That is the shortest season on record. Our trees are days to weeks fresher than any you'll find cut on a lot. Some hold their needles longer than others and the workers can help you choose one that will last well. Watering is the biggest factor in leaf retention. I had one tree that we cut on the friday after Thanksgiving that we threw out on January 1st - it stayed green for another month!

The Farm in Patrick Co.

The buildings are not open to the public, but you are welcome to take a walking tour. The land came to the Ayers family in the 18th century in a King James Land Grant. Thomas "Tommie" Ayers born in 1799, in Hallifax, VA, came to Patrick County, VA at some point and lived in a one room log cabin. Records indicate that Tommie had two wives, He married (1) Rebecca Harris, (2) Mahala Turner on 1826, and (3) Rachel Ore on 1859 in Patrick Co., VA.

The farmhouse was built arround the log cabin with the last addition being the "Parlor" where letters written by Ola Ayers tell of family & friends gathering to listen to the radio, singing & dancing to music made with an organ, fiddle & harmonica.

Decendents of his son, William H. Ayers (1824-1913) continue to gather in a reunion on the first Sunday of August, most recently at the farm. Barbara Ayers, the current caretaker of the farm has lovingly tended the buildings, remodeling the inside, painting buildings and adding the beautiful red metal roofs. We lost the tobacco barn in 2013. The house, mill, chicken coup, smoke house and apple house remain.

Teachers were attracted to the community with board & a room above the smokehouse. Rachel Ore, the 3rd wife, was one such teacher.

Cattle

The land across the road is leased as cattle pasture land. Two Guard Donkeys live with the herd. They protect the cattle from packs of wild dogs & coyotes that have been reintroduced through Project Coyote.

Donkeys have exceptional hearing, a keen nose and excellent vision. They use these senses todetect intruders. They bray, bare their teeth, chase, andattempt to kick and bite dogs and coyotes. Some donkeys will also chase deer, bears, strange livestock, humans andother intruders in a similar fashion. (Agdex 684-18)