Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“The BlackHorse Farm is the place to be. Farm livin’ is the life for me. Land spreadin’ out so far and wide. Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.” You might be singing this little tune once you visit the authentic horse farm located in Rush, Kentucky known as the BlackHorse Farm. This farm has the most breathtaking atmosphere with friendly owners who make you feel like family.
Farm Day at the BlackHorse Farm will be September 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This day coincides with the Heritage Harvest Tour sponsored by the Boyd and Lawrence County Extension Offices. This will be the second year the BlackHorse Farm has been a part of the tour. Jessica Adkins, who owns the farm with her husband, discussed the importance of participating: “Rural Appalachia is making big moves, and we love all of the stops on the tour and the farmers; we want to promote rural Eastern Kentucky as much as possible. It's a great way to allow people who have never experienced a rural way of life- to come out and experience it.”
Admission to BlackHorse Farm is only $5 per person to come to the farm. Admission is sold at the gate, and children 12 and under are free. Activities include bluegrass music by the legendary band Hammertowne, barn tours, horse/pony rides (one ride is included in admission), carriage rides (additional fee), farrier/teeth floater demonstrations and trackless train rides (additional fee). You can even get up close with their farm animals and a camel!
In addition to the Farm Day events at the BlackHorse Farm, people can stop by Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill, which is also owned by Adkins. Supper and picnic boxes will be available for people to bring a blanket to sit on the lawn or dine in the climate controlled indoor area. Picnic box menu items include: chili, pork barbeque sandwich, grilled cheese sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and desserts. The regular menu is also available, in addition to delivery services. Adkins said, “We deliver to ‘my people’ who are sometimes left out of delivery ranges in larger businesses.” Adkins makes sure to treat her customers like family.
Participating in Farm Day is a wonderful way to build back communication and grow more as a community since the pandemic. “Now, more than ever, we want to allow families and children the opportunity to be exposed to our way of farm life; the focus is on faith, family and farming,” shared Adkins. Since 2015 when the BlackHorse Farm was established, the Adkins family has maintained their focus. Each year they have served Boyd County with several events such as the Bethlehem Experience, open farm days and egg hunts. Weddings, receptions, and special events for parties can also be held at the Blackhorse Farm.
The Adkins family is involved with several business opportunities in Boyd County. Adkins’ love for her community shines through her daily living. Adkins spoke proudly of the connection she has with the area saying, “My husband built and designed our entire farm. I grew up two roads over from my place now. It was called Long Branch Road. My grandparents are buried in a cemetery on that road. Rush is my home. I am so blessed to have three businesses in Boyd County. The BlackHorse Farm (established 2015), Diamond Links (we bought in 2017) and we started Buddy's Clubhouse Grill in 2019.” For Adkins, this is more than just a business and lifestyle, it’s worth preserving for generations to come.
The BlackHorse Farm is located at 18517 State Route 854 in Rush, Kentucky. Buddy’s Clubhouse Grill at Diamond Links Golf Course is located at 200 Fairway Drive in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Make sure to support these local businesses in Boyd County, and come enjoy Farm Day on September 24 where faith, family and farming are harvested in abundance.