Llamas and ducks are among the animals in residence at Achin’ Back Farm, a new vendor at the Signal Mountain Farmers Market.Signal Mountain residents Debbi and Mike Toews are transitioning their hobby farm into a business, selling their fresh eggs and honey to shoppers at the Signal Mountain Farmers Market under the name Achin’ Back Farm.
When the family moved to the mountain six years ago, they started beekeeping to pollinate their garden and fruit trees, and also acquired a few farm animals: goats, chickens, pigs, llamas and ducks. When Debbi Toews quit her full-time job last year, she decided to share their bounty beyond the family table.
Since the Toewses don’t have the commercial kitchen necessary to produce goat cheese or the certification needed for selling meats, Debbi Toews settled on farm-fresh eggs and local honey as their initial products, though she said they are looking into adding to their offerings.
“They’ve got to try our honey,” she said of market shoppers, several of whom have come back by to let her know it was some of the best they’d ever had.
The couple’s honey has received national recognition and was awarded second place in a taste competition among Tennessee Valley Beekeepers Association members. Interestingly, the first-place winner also hailed from Signal Mountain, Debbi Toews said.