Crisp air, rolling hills, and goats dotting the pasture, as the sun begins to peak around the mountain. East Tennessee is whispering for your attention; offering you a taste of country charm at Christopher’s Overlook.
Home to Auston and Audrey Christopher, their farmland in Clinton, Tennessee invites you in with a warm smile and clever goats.
A former beef cattle operation, the land was purchased in 2019 by the couple. Their homestead is used as a sustainable agritourism venue.
They’ve become established in their community and friends with the neighbors, but it started in an unconventional way.
As new goat farmers, their herd got shocked by the electrical fence and bolted right through it. The goats disappeared up the ridge of the mountain, leaving Audrey and Auston in a panic their first morning with their goats.
You can prepare and research so much, but you’re never really ready.
- Audrey Christopher
Combing the countryside for their herd, in their pajamas, they met their new neighbors as they lent a hand. It wasn‘t the ideal start they had hoped for, but it all worked out in the end. Each goat was accounted for, and they even added more to their herd.
Although the goats gave them some trouble, farm life suits Audrey and Auston well.
Audrey holds a BS in Animal Care and Management, Grad Cert in Applied Global Stability: Agriculture, and is finishing her Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences. She grew up in the Maryland 4-H, FFA and Pony Club programs. She rode for the equestrian team in college, and previously worked for the USDA Veterinary Services and Wildlife Services programs. Audrey has dreamt of being a farmer since she was a little girl.
Auston is a Navy veteran, with a BS in Nuclear Engineering. He knew how important it was for Audrey to see her farm dreams come true, so they moved to Tennessee to make it happen.
Their shared talents of livestock, design and building make them a great team to run Christopher’s Overlook.
They are Tennessee master small ruminant producers, and use their goats as natural lawnmowers and public educators.
When the pandemic hit, they pivoted their plans and offer virtual Airbnb visits with their goats. You can grab a warm drink, connect virtually for a small fee, and enjoy your morning with Audrey and her herd.
Christopher’s Overlook is also open to visitors. You can book a private picnic at their farm through Airbnb. You bring the food, they provide a scenic view atop their pasture, with a visit from the goats afterward.
Following through with Audrey’s passion as an educator, Christopher’s Overlook and their goats, have joined 20+ classrooms across the country last year on Zoom to share a glimpse of farm life with inner-city students.
I aim for our farm to become part of our local community, a hub where people can come to learn and experience agriculture. I want to inspire people to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. By giving them a face behind the farmer, I hope they will support agriculture and land conservation.
- Audrey Christopher
Paradise has been found, and it’s waiting for us in Clinton, Tennessee at Christopher’s Overlook.
*All photos are courtesy of Audrey and Auston Christopher
For additional information, visit their website at www.christophersoverlook.com
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