Loving the outdoors

To enhance the existing natural woodlands, the Hemmers have planted approximately 100 acres in timber, including pine, crepe myrtle, oak, poplar, cedar, and the Sweetheart chestnut, a special cross between the American and Chinese chestnut.

More than 100 acres of the farm are pasture. John set up the fences so he can move the cattle throughout the summer. The Hemmers have 14 purebred Belted Galloway cows and a breeding bull. They also raise some calves for beef without steroids or hormones. "When we eat beef, that's what we eat," says Jane, who touts the breed's lean and tasty beef.

The Belties aren't the only pasture ornaments at the Hemmer place. Five Tennessee walking horses, which Jane refers to as "plantation walkers" because they aren't shod with fancy shoes or exhibited in the show ring, also reside there.

The livestock and pastures take a lot of work, especially when it comes to weed control. But John, an orthopedic surgeon, says riding a tractor is the perfect way to unwind after a busy day at the hospital or office. "I could Bush Hog all day long and just let the world go by," he says. "I love coming home and working on the farm."

Peacocks and ponds

Another lawn ornament on the property is a pair of peacocks, which wander freely around the grounds. "They love to be around you but just only so close," says Jane. "They are really pretty, and they are not aggressive. But you need a good dog to keep them away from the house or you might have an unpleasant surprise." Abner, the Hemmer's Great Dane, playfully chases the peacocks until they fly high up into the trees to roost.

There is a small pond near the house that's stocked with catfish, crappies, and blue gills or brim fish. A larger pond is about a third of a mile from the house, situated in the farm's bottomlands. The Hemmers named this 5-acre body of water St. John's Lake, after John's favorite fishing spot in Florida. A third pond was built in 2007.

Several years ago the Hemmers replaced their white swans that resided in the small pond with a pair of Australian black swans. "The black swan feathers don't show up on the surrounding lawn like the white features did," says Jane. Over the years, the Hemmers have had a few pairs of black swans, but they have yet to raise any cygnets into adulthood.