Silhouette of a truck with a streamlined design, showcasing its cargo area and profile, ideal for logistics and transportation themes.
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Silhouette of a truck with a streamlined design, showcasing its cargo area and profile, ideal for logistics and transportation themes.
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About Us

Our Story

We are a friendly family farm that is owned and operated by first responders. My dad (Skip) and I are firefighter/EMTs with 43 years experience between us. Harley is a full time RN and keeps track of the paperwork. We are located in the beautiful countryside of Sparta in Caroline County, Virginia. Myself (Michael) and Harley bought a house and 50 acres of land in January 2021. We talked about raising cows and did a lot of research about being cattle farmers. In January 2022 we established Hidden Hollow Farms, LLC. Since that time, we have been building fences, gaining knowledge, acquiring all the things you need to take care of cattle and the cows themselves. By January 2023 we will be taking our first cows to the processor. We raise quality grass-fed, grain-finished beef for local communities and beyond. Our beef is USDA processed and inspected to ensure it is safe, wholesome and properly labeled. We are conveniently located to Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tappahannock, Hanover and Ashland. Our ultimate goal is to provide quality beef for you and your family. When you buy from Hidden Hollow Farms you support local families and small business. Let us feed your family!n always update it as your farm continues to grow.

Young farmer tending to a black calf in a grassy field surrounded by trees, showcasing sustainable farming practices and animal care.
Four black cattle feeding from a trough labeled Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment in a grassy pasture with trees in the background.
Three black cows in a pen grazing on straw, with a green pasture visible in the background. The cows are interacting with each other while foraging for food.
A herd of black cows grazing in a lush green pasture with a large tree in the background, showcasing a peaceful rural setting.
Two men working together to secure a fence post in a grassy field, one using a tool while the other assists, showcasing teamwork in outdoor maintenance.
Black calves grazing in a green pasture, separated by a wooden fence with barbed wire, on a sunny day in a rural setting.
Two men working together to lift and secure a yellow boat trailer on grassy terrain, surrounded by trees and a truck in the background.
Close-up of a black cow reaching for grass held in a person's hand, with another cow visible in the background. The cow has identification tags on its ears, set in a lush green pasture.
A farmer in white clothing kneels in a green pasture surrounded by black cattle, with a scenic backdrop of trees and a distant barn under a cloudy sky.
Young man operating a Kubota L2501 tractor with a front loader attachment in a grassy field, surrounded by trees and a fence.
Young man wearing a gray baseball cap and sunglasses, with a plaid shirt, sitting indoors near a wooden railing.

Michael

Hi! I’m Michael. I was born in Sevierville, Tennessee but moved to Sparta, Virginia when I was only a month old. I was raised and have lived in Caroline County all my life. When I was little my dad was a volunteer firefighter. I loved the fire trucks and excitement that went along with being a firefighter. When I was 15, I became a volunteer firefighter and soon thereafter an EMT. I volunteered for 8 years. I went to work for a local grain farmer. I began to learn a lot about farming and repairing farm equipment. That’s when I acquired the love of farming. I loved the planting, growing and harvesting of the crops, but I was really interested in raising cattle. Moving ahead a few years, I went to work as a full-time firefighter/EMT but held on to my cattle raising dream. Then I met Harley………….

Smiling woman in a white medical uniform sitting on a bench with a black dog, showcasing a friendly bond in a natural outdoor setting.

Harley

Hi! I’m Harley. I grew up in what I thought was a small town, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, until I moved to Sparta. Growing up I did the “country things” like riding four wheelers, playing in the creek, going to bonfires, and I even learned to drive a 5-speed! I was active in sports and danced all through school. I enjoyed staying busy and being surrounded by people. I moved to Virginia Beach and went to nursing school to become a Registered Nurse. I decided to become a nurse because I loved being around people and helping them. I graduated nursing school a few weeks before COVID and have been working as a RN through the pandemic. I never thought I would be living on a farm raising cows, and then I met Michael…………

Man with a beard wearing a bright yellow shirt and a gray cap sits in the driver's seat of a blue truck, looking directly at the camera. The background features a green building and a clear sky, suggesting an outdoor farming or rural setting.

Jess (Skip)

Hi! I’m Jess. Better known as Skip to all that know me. I am Michael’s dad. I was born and raised in Caroline County. I have lived in the Sparta community for 31 years. My wife, Terry, and I have been married for 38 years. As Michael told you, I was a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. For the first 20 years of my career, I was a mechanic. The next 8 years I worked for a grain farmer. Michael was just a toddler then. Many evenings Terry would bring him to ride with me in the combine when I was harvesting beans or corn. (That was his first taste of farming.) For the last 24 years I have driven a fuel truck for E. M. Gray and Son. I am retiring at the end of this month to become a full-time farmer.

A happy black dog with brown paws sitting on the driver's seat of a utility vehicle, showcasing its playful personality in a lush green outdoor setting.

Bailey

Hi! I’m Bailey. You can’t have a farm without a good dog! I am 4 years old. I was a rescue from Louisiana. I am very friendly, and I love living on a farm. My favorite things to do are ride in the gator and go for walks. On my walks I do a lot of exploring. There is no stone left un-sniffed. Also, if you hadn’t already guessed, I am very spoiled!