ABOUT ROSEMARY AND THYME
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.
ROSEMARY AND THYME'S BEGINNINGS
Brent Smith
Hannah Walker
MEET THE FLOCK
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. As of 2024, the population has increased 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, as a result, they are one of the most parasite resistant sheep breeds alive today. They may not have the highest milk production but their milk quality is excellent. The East Friesian, native to northern Germany, is one of the most abundant dairy breeds in the US because they are such high yielding milk producers. The Lacaune, native to France, is considered one of the best breeds in terms of milk production, second only to the East Friesian. This combination of sheep breeds results in the production of excellent cheese.
OUR HARDWORKING (AND EXTRA CUTE) TEAM MEMBERS
ACORN
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. Helping Acorn is Clyde, Butch and Sundance intimidating livestock guardian dogs whose job is to make sure that nothing happens to their charges. Clyde is a Komondor (sometimes called a "mop dog" because of their appearance). and Butch and Sundance are Anatolian Shepherd, Great Pyrenees mixes. After training, these intelligent dogs are 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.
BUTCH
CLYDE
