Ron and Debbie Craig moved to North Carolina in the mid-80s to work in the pork industry, but they dreamed of starting their own farm. Ron had raised a pig as a child and had worked in a dairy as a teenager. In 2004, the Craigs acquired some goats and sought advice on artisan cheese-making. Then they started their business. Ron handled the herd while Debbie worked on the cheese.
Now the goat herd is more than 1,000 strong, and Holly Grove Farms goat cheese is renowned in our area for its rich flavor and smooth, creamy texture. In addition to raising cattle, hogs, and goats and making cheese, the Craigs grow their own hay, offer educational farm tours on their 65 acres in Mount Olive, and run a small gift shop featuring local goods. Ron has passed away, but Debbie and her children decided to keep Ron’s dream alive by running the farm as a family, a task Debbie says is more than a full-time job.