"The Roost" |
Our Mission:To provide a clean, healthy and safe place for working families to experience the outdoors and the glorious gift of God. A place for them to take time to relate to one another as a family unit and to grow closer and to establish the strength of the true family experience. |
Location:
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Buzzard Roost Farms, LLC Headquarters located in Pinson, Tennessee Buzzard Roost Farms, LLC is located in Madison and Chester counties in Tennessee. The farm is 427 acres of a mixture of both pine and hardwood rolling hills, with a few cleared off areas to play in! "The Roost" has a three and a half acre lake that has been stocked with bream and bass. The lake may also be used for swimming and learning to kayak. |
A Gallery of "The Roost" shots we love.....
The Story!
How "The Roost" Began!
The story begins with the God-given desire of Bruce and Marsha (me). We wanted to establish a place where families and other groups could come together to both fellowship and enjoy the great outdoors that our Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us to enjoy and to grow in Him. This has been a dream of ours since we met in 2001. Bruce and I have been talking and planning and now, with the Grace of God and hard work, we are trying to put it into action.
Looking for the land took a while. One piece of property that we really liked turned out to not be the property we needed. We thought it would be great and started making plans in our heads for what we could do with it. We prayed about it and asked God to let us know if it wasn't right. We made an offer and to our surprise, the owner came back with an offer that was even more than the listed price. Well, that was a clear sign from God that that wasn't the place for us. We were disappointed but later learned that water for a well could not be found. Thank you, Lord, the Living Water, for not letting us get that property! You are always in control, whether we know it or not.
Then one day while looking online, we found the property! ......
The property was beautiful. Lots of pine and hardwood, rolling hills and lots of room. It was in our price range, and immediately available, but we were unsure. We prayed about it and thought about it and were kinda scared to be truthful. Then we decided: well, it didn't have any water on it, so we would pass. We let the agent know that we were passing on the property. The seller asked why we didn't want it and we told him that it was at the top of our price range, and it didn't have any water on it. ...... So, wait for it ....... The seller told us he would go down to our price AND would build a 3–4-acre lake on it wherever we wanted! God is Good! So, the plans began...
Looking for the land took a while. One piece of property that we really liked turned out to not be the property we needed. We thought it would be great and started making plans in our heads for what we could do with it. We prayed about it and asked God to let us know if it wasn't right. We made an offer and to our surprise, the owner came back with an offer that was even more than the listed price. Well, that was a clear sign from God that that wasn't the place for us. We were disappointed but later learned that water for a well could not be found. Thank you, Lord, the Living Water, for not letting us get that property! You are always in control, whether we know it or not.
Then one day while looking online, we found the property! ......
The property was beautiful. Lots of pine and hardwood, rolling hills and lots of room. It was in our price range, and immediately available, but we were unsure. We prayed about it and thought about it and were kinda scared to be truthful. Then we decided: well, it didn't have any water on it, so we would pass. We let the agent know that we were passing on the property. The seller asked why we didn't want it and we told him that it was at the top of our price range, and it didn't have any water on it. ...... So, wait for it ....... The seller told us he would go down to our price AND would build a 3–4-acre lake on it wherever we wanted! God is Good! So, the plans began...
So, the show is on! Here we go. We had lots of names that we went through and none sounded right. Then one day, Bruce and I were out at the property, and I looked up. I said to Bruce, " There are always buzzards out here." and Bruce said, " Yes, they must have a roost out here somewhere." And there was the name....... BUZZARD ROOST FARMS! "The Roost" was born. Lots of work to go, but lots of fun and memories, too!
Our first weekend at "The Roost" was in February 2011. It was chilly, but fun. We carried everything in on our new 4-wheeler and made camp. That night we heard lots of critters in the woods. Some got pretty close to the tent. I guess they were trying to figure us out as much as we were trying to figure them out! All I can say is it was an interesting night. We woke up the next morning and put some coffee on and made some eggs and toast and then the dreaming and planning began.
Soon we upgraded our tent! Needed more room. Also changed locations.
Then there was equipment to buy.... So, we would save a little money and buy a little equipment. It took some time, but we started the process and have done pretty well if you ask me.
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Some tents were donated. They got used and used and used and used. Thanks Page, Marla, Jack, Sally, and Josh. We truly appreciate it! |
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After a year of sleeping in a tent every weekend, I (Marsha) was ready for something else. So, our new goal was to find an inexpensive camper. One that would give us a little more shelter and well, let's face it.....I wanted a bathroom!!! So, we looked and looked and low and behold.... There it was on Craigslist. We went and looked at it and made an offer and went the next weekend and got it. The move from tent to camper was AWESOME! God is truly Good, He will provide.
Well, we got the camper set up and then got back to work. During that first year we started building the lake. It was to be a 3–4-acre lake right in the middle of a hard wood tree grove and next to the old 1902 railroad track (the rails have been long gone, no risk of getting run over by a train).
The trees were pushed over, the soil was tested for sand patches, and then it was limed, and a LOT of clay was packed in at the levee. Some structure was left in the deep parts for fish to live in, and of course, yes, Bruce and I both know where that is, so hopefully, we will catch the big ones!
It took a little over 2 years for the lake to fill completely, even with a few natural springs feeding into it. Once it got at least halfway full, we got some bream and started the stocking process. Our first batch was 750 copper nose bream and 250 shellcrackers. I was very excited, so when the fish were to be placed in the lake, I wanted it captured on video. Well, my sweet husband took the camera and told the fish man that he needed to video the stocking process for his wife so that she could see it all. He said, "Well, you got to keep the wife happy." Then he proceeded to pick up a 5-gallon bucket, walk over to the lake, pour out a little water, scoop some water into the five gallon bucket a few times, wait a few minutes, then pour our 1000 1–2-inch bream into the lake!!!!!
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We ended up having to sow some grass seeds to prevent any erosion of the sides which was in itself a hot, sticky experience for me. But it helped and then God started filling up the lake.
Bruce gets home with the video, and I start to get everything setup to watch the "Fish Transfer". Bruce says, "Well, it was pretty quick." Not quite knowing what he was talking about, I continue with the setup of equipment to view this event! He continues to give me little hints so as to not let my expectations get too high, but I don't pick up on them. My expectations are enormous, I envision slider ramps for our fish to swim down into their new home and all kinds of crazy stuff. Then........... I see the video! WHAT!?!?!?! Is that all there was to it?!???!?!?!?!?!? Oh well, glad I didn't waste vacation time to go view the event. The fish are doing well.
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In the meantime of all the lake stuff going on, we were busy cleaning off fields and planting soybeans, turnips, fruit trees, trees for deer and clover. We camped out and made plans for the future and with the Lord's help, it will all come along.
About 6 months after the first bream were introduced into the lake, we added another 1500 of bream. Then 6 months later, we added 150 largemouth bass. They were so small when we put them in. A whole 2 inches long. I couldn't believe it when we caught the first bass a few months later. Man, how they had grown.
After about 2-2.5 years the lake is full, and the 2-inch bass have grown a good bit. It is amazing the wonders of Our Lord and how He creates such beauty. Our hope and prayers are to make "The Roost" what He wants it to be and with His help and guidance it will become a testament to His Glory.
THEN IT WAS FINALLY FULL! How beautiful it is!
Now that the lake is full, we occasionally add structure for the fish and fertilize the lake as needed. There is always lots of mowing and, weed eating around it. Not to mention, killing fire ants around it, cleaning the wood duck boxes out and of course fishing out of it. There is plenty more to do. The work has just started. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to work for Your Glory on this land.
THE BARN
Taking care of "The Roost" takes a lot of time and a lot of equipment. So, after hauling the equipment back and forth on the trailer for a couple of years, we finally saved enough to have a barn put up. What a great day that would be. So, it was picked out and scheduled to be put up. Bruce and I went out to the farm that afternoon and waited for the trucks to arrive to start putting up the barn the next morning. It was winter and a little bad weather at times, but we never doubted the trucks arrival! RIGHT! When we got to the farm, it was so muddy we couldn't drive down to the camper. So, we ended up just sleeping in our truck. The only problem-- it got into the low 30's that night, I had learned to expect the unexpected and put the sleeping bags in the truck. So actually, we were fine. The truck was rescheduled, and we went on home that day. Once the ground had dried out, the truck was there, and the barn was raised!
It is really nice to have a place to store our equipment. Now, we just got to get the grass to grow around it!
THE ROAD
Recently, we had saved enough to have half a road built to the barn. WOW! What a difference that has made. Before the road, any time it would rain, we would not be able to drive to the barn. We would have to carry everything we needed. When you are constantly taking stuff to work on, and your main 4-wheeler got stolen, there is really only one other way to get stuff there...... YOUR FEET. So, we have been carrying stuff to the barn and then using the remaining older 4-wheeler to carry stuff to other places. For a person that doesn't have the best of balance, it has been a little messy. Let's just say, I know how to get the red mud out of clothes pretty well by now!
Update:
Well, we finally saved up enough to finish the road to the barn. It is very nice, and we have a little graveled area in front of the barn to park and move things around on. Thank you Lord for all you do!
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THE HOUSE
Well, we finally made the decision.......
We're building our home at The Roost!!!!
We're building our home at The Roost!!!!
I can't wait to get the house finished and get moved out to The Roost. It will be much easier to get things done that need to be done without having to drive out there and then worry about having the time to drive back home again.
God has blessed us with the option of moving to The Roost and we are taking advantage of this opportunity. It is a leap of faith to go ahead and move and then commute to work every day, but we feel the benefits far outweigh the obstacles.
Now if we can just get everything cleaned up, sorted and thrown away for the move, we will be good!!! Can't wait to get to work on what God has for us next! Stay tuned for the new adventures!
UPDATE: Well, we moved into the house in Nov 2017! What a milestone! What an adventure this has been, all the decisions that had to be made and plans changed and then changed again. It was all worth it. I love drinking my morning Joe from the back deck and walking in the woods. God has blessed up tremendously. Thanks and all the Glory to our Lord and Savior.
God has blessed us with the option of moving to The Roost and we are taking advantage of this opportunity. It is a leap of faith to go ahead and move and then commute to work every day, but we feel the benefits far outweigh the obstacles.
Now if we can just get everything cleaned up, sorted and thrown away for the move, we will be good!!! Can't wait to get to work on what God has for us next! Stay tuned for the new adventures!
UPDATE: Well, we moved into the house in Nov 2017! What a milestone! What an adventure this has been, all the decisions that had to be made and plans changed and then changed again. It was all worth it. I love drinking my morning Joe from the back deck and walking in the woods. God has blessed up tremendously. Thanks and all the Glory to our Lord and Savior.
The Completed House...Now we just got to do All the other stuff............
THE CHICKEN COOPS
Now that we have the house and firepit done, we needed something else to do. LOL JK'ing! We decided to get some chickens. Yes, what else does a home in the woods need but chickens. So, we build/bought some chicken coops. Yes, one turned into two then three areas for chickens and now we have eggs, eggs and more eggs! They are so much fun to watch.
The chicken endeavor has really not ended. The photo above is the first coop and since then we have added another coop beside it along with one at the horse barn. Oh yes, we added horses also. More on that later. There have been times when eggs were plentiful and other times when they weren't. Chickens need about 13 hours of sunlight to make an egg so in the winter months the egg production goes way down. It has been a learning experience and one that I would gladly do again. It is very calming to sit and watch chickens I have discovered. Try it sometime, I think you will like it.
MORE LAND!
We had the opportunity to purchase the original other half of the land that we carved "The Roost" out of. This will make the total acreage 427. It is mainly pine trees with some cleared off areas and some mature hard wood. We have been working on it and now have about 10 miles of trails throughout both sections. It has been wonderful. We also cleared off around 20 acres and have started a peach orchard. Yes, a Peach orchard with 12 varieties of peaches. They were all bareroot, so it will take several years before we can eat a peach. It is gonna be a peach of a deal! (Couldn't help it!).
THE HORSE BARN
The Adoption Process
One of my friends started a horse rescue called Sadie's Horse Haven. She had so many horses, she needed an overflow area. So, after much though and prayers, we decided to help out. We ended up building a 30x30 foot barn with 4 stalls. We fenced in about 3-4 acres, and we were ready.
Nemo and Pappi came to live at our new barn as a foster trial. Nemo was 28yo and Pappi was 24yo. They were both hunter jumpers and just couldn't jump anymore. They still could be ridden, just no jumping which was fine with me. They are both rather tall horses standing at 17 and 17 1/2 hands. (I definitely need a mounting block). We had never had horses before and there was a lot of learning going on around the roost, but we learned some and made it through.
Well, it wasn't long until they stole our hearts, and we ended up adopting them. We love them. They are a little older now but doing great.
Nemo and Pappi came to live at our new barn as a foster trial. Nemo was 28yo and Pappi was 24yo. They were both hunter jumpers and just couldn't jump anymore. They still could be ridden, just no jumping which was fine with me. They are both rather tall horses standing at 17 and 17 1/2 hands. (I definitely need a mounting block). We had never had horses before and there was a lot of learning going on around the roost, but we learned some and made it through.
Well, it wasn't long until they stole our hearts, and we ended up adopting them. We love them. They are a little older now but doing great.
Nemo and Pappi meeting Andy and Barney!
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And we are growing!!!!! After Nemo and Pappi became our new "children" (Haley you got a couple new brothers!) Andy and Barney came to stay. Two mini donkeys. Both have the Jerusalem Cross on their backs. They were pretty skittish at first but with work and love, now they just want to be petted.
Then came Trey. Trey was found walking down Highway 194 in bad condition. Sadie's Horse Haven got him and nursed him back to health. He was a little nervous with everything going on, so he came to visit with us for a while. And of course, we fell love with him also. So now he is a permanent member of the herd.
THE BARN CHICKENS
We also built another chicken coop at the barn and proudly have bought or adopted some 31 more chicken out there. We ended up having to build a run with the coop due to the predators (coyote, foxes, birds of prey, raccoons and bobcats to name a few. We also added another coop inside the run to house them all. Our next plan is to enlarge he run. Of course, they still get to free range when we are here and can watch them. It is quite calming to watch chickens do their thing. We love our chickens and the eggs!
We also added some ducks and hatched some more guinea fowl.
Some of the Guinea fowl that hatched had flare leg syndrome. So just a little twine for a few days fixed them right up.
Eggs, Eggs and more Eggs!
Some small! Some BIG! All Colors. It has been fun to see what we get each day.
THE ORCHARD
One reason we got more land was to build and grow an orchard. Bruce decided on peaches. I thought OK, that will be fun to help with. Of course, I was thinking maybe 50 to 75 trees would be a big orchard. Afterall, we will have to be picking them and taking care of the trees and land. So, one day Bruce told me he had ordered the trees. Of course, my next question was "how many did you get?" Much to my surprise, he said SIX HUNDRED! Oh my!
Well, we planted them after having some land cleared off and whatever else you have to do to land to get it ready for 600 peach trees. Bruce and I (by ourselves) planted one hundred in one day. By the end of that day, my knees were done. I suggested hiring some younger guys to help him plant the other 500 and he agreed. So, with the help of some teenagers, a 20-year-old and a couple other older people, the trees were planted.
OH YEAH, did I forget to mention the 350 blackberry plants, 300 blueberry plants and 40 raspberry plants! We planted those also, along with a 24'x48' hoop house! This man is working me!
Well, we planted them after having some land cleared off and whatever else you have to do to land to get it ready for 600 peach trees. Bruce and I (by ourselves) planted one hundred in one day. By the end of that day, my knees were done. I suggested hiring some younger guys to help him plant the other 500 and he agreed. So, with the help of some teenagers, a 20-year-old and a couple other older people, the trees were planted.
OH YEAH, did I forget to mention the 350 blackberry plants, 300 blueberry plants and 40 raspberry plants! We planted those also, along with a 24'x48' hoop house! This man is working me!
MORE STUFF AT "THE ROOST"
As you can imagine, there is always something happening at "The Roost". We are constantly working on projects and trying to do what The Lord has asked of us to do. We are about to start a barn at the orchard in order to be able to store the product and provide as God sees fit for us to accomplish. Stay tuned for more developments and the ongoing progress.
Contact Us
If you would like to contact us, please feel free to do so. We enjoy talking about Buzzard Roost Farms and discussing the possibilities that it may grow to.