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ABOUT ROSEMARY AND THYME

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ALL ABOARD!

      In 1911, the Chattanooga Southern Railroad underwent

reorganization. Out of that reorganization came the

Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia Railroad. This railroad

ran from Chattanooga, Tennessee, through the

northwest part of Georgia, and into Gadsden,

Alabama. Altogether this added up to a distance of 91.7 miles. In the 1960's the TAG Line was owned by Mose and Garrison Siskin, who owned the Siskin Steel Company in Chattanooga. They used the TAG to move steel products between Siskin Steel and Republic Steel in Gadsden. During that time the TAG Line was the most profitable of the short railroads in the country. The TAG was purchased by the Southern Railway in 1971. The northernmost section was operated by the Chattanooga and Chickamauga Railway until the Dow Chemical Plant in Kensington shut down in September 2009. Dismantling of the line began in 2010.

     In 2019, business partners Hannah Walker and Brent Smith established a sheep farm and creamery eight miles southwest of Lafayette, Georgia, at 5328 Chamberlain Road. The farm's 45.7 acres included the 3.8 acres that were left of an abandoned right of way of the former railroad. Thus, the TAG Line Farms and the Rosemary and Thyme Creamery were born. 

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ROSEMARY AND THYME'S BEGINNINGS

Brent Smith

Hannah Walker

MEET THE HERD

     The farm began with a flock of fifty sheep: twenty-six St. Croix and twenty-four of a cross between the East Friesian and the Lacaune. Since that time, two good lambing years have increased the population to over one-hundred. Some of the excess rams have gone to market while some of the ewes have found homes with 4H families.

     The St. Croix, native to the U.S. Virgin Islands, are quite adaptable to their environment but are not too comfortable around people. They are good milking sheep, with milk that is high in butterfat, making them well suited for cheese making. The East Friesian, native to northern Germany, is one of the best breeds in terms of milk production. The Lacaune, native to southern France, is considered one of the best breeds in terms of milk production, second only to the East Friesian. This combination results in the production of excellent cheese.

OUR HARDWORKING (AND EXTRA CUTE) TEAM MEMBERS

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     Overseeing all of the activity of the farm is Acorn, a donkey who has specific likes and dislikes and does not hesitate to let the world know about them. Her bray can be heard

from a half mile away. Give her an apple and

you're her friend for life.

     Helping Acorn is Clyde, an intimidating

(about 120 pounds) livestock guarding dog

whose job is to make sure that nothing

happens to his charges. Clyde is a Komondor

(sometimes called a "mop dog" because of

their appearance). After training, this intelligent

dog is independent but very protective. 

     It's safe to say the sheep on the TAG Line

property are in good hands, hoofs, and paws

thanks to these guys.

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Acorn

Clyde

WANT TO COME CHECK OUT THE FARM AND MEET THE TEAM?

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