Santeetlah-area farm has thrived for 25 years
* Second in a 4-part series
East Buffalo – Along the edges of the Cheoah Mountains of Graham County lies a treasure to herbal enthusiasts, culinary experts and a little something for absolutely everyone.
Stroll the gardens and pick flowers to add color to your kitchen table – or brighten a loved one’s day. Snip your favorite herb, or try a new one you haven’t tasted yet. Visit the produce tables and gather the in-season vegetables that are sure to please any palate.
Stoney Hollow Farm is a family-owned and operated business in the East Buffalo community. Scott and Stephanie Boxberger have gone above and beyond the definition of "farm," with their attention to organically non-GMO produced vegetables, flowers and melons available to both public and wholesale customers. Their farm store has freshly-harvested produce and seasonal crops. The store also features locally-produced soap, honey and gourmet foods, as well as vintage and curated antiques that are perfect for home décor or gift giving.
Stephanie enjoys arranging flowers, shopping for antiques for their shop and planning wedding events. She has a knack for uniting the past and the present in her beautiful flower arrangements and event décor. Together, the Boxberger’s are a local "go-to," providing Graham County with a variety of beautiful necessities to make life more enjoyable.
Stoney Hollow also provides both the perfect background for photos, and place to relax and enjoy nature. Scott hopes to bring beauty, flavor and relaxation to his guests, but he, his wife and their son Landon have little time to rest. Farming is an exhausting occupation extending from the wee hours of morning until well after sunset. Scott has been farming at Stoney Hollow for 25 years and is very content with the farming life.
The family has four green houses in operation. This spring, the high winds took the roof off one of the houses – which Scott is currently working to repair. One of the many challenges – and his least-favorite part of farming – is the damage to crops that may occur from hail, storms and animal damage. But his enjoyment for working the land and being onsite from daylight to dark far outweighs the challenges.
“Our greatest satisfaction from this job is growing a really good product and providing a great experience for our customers when visiting the farm," Scott said. "We have also made a huge transition from growing fruit, blueberry, blackberries and more, because a tiny insect invaded Graham County that the U.S. called the Spotted Wing Drosophila.”
Satisfaction is a guarantee when you take a trip to Stoney Hollow Farm, which is at 944 Ollies Creek Road. Visitors are welcome on Fridays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.