Thorn Springs Farm

Thorn Springs Farm was purchased by Kristen Donnelly in December of 2023. Her lifelong dream as been to have a farm and raise livestock. After years of browsing real estate listings, she finally found one that would become Thorn Springs Farm. Thorn Springs is 69 acres of rolling pastures. It is located in Sugar Grove, West Virginia just a few miles from where Kristen and her family lives in McDowell, Virginia where a cow or two will occasionally come to visit for short periods.

Kristen grew up on a small sheep farm and worked on an assortment of farms through high school and college. Her experience during those years included sheep, beef cattle, dairy cattle, and horses. As a youth she was active in the 4-H and began volunteering with the Highland 4-H in 2024 to help play it forward.

Getting Started. Our herd was started with Annabelle and Harriette. In 2024 we built up to 10 cows and bred heifers, and 8 calves. Starting off in year with an extreme drought added a few challenges and learning experiences. We are working with NRCS, Trout Unlimited and the WV Conservation Agency organizations to develop watering systems to improve our sustainability, drought resistance, minimize our environmental impact, and livestock health. We strive to create breeding program that produces sought after genetics by getting semen from breeders across the USA as well as importing semen from France.

Thorn Springs Farm will be a family farm focused on sustainably raised Tarentaise cattle.  Thorn Springs will be a responsible producer and strive to make high quality beef available to all.  We will also produce top quality breeding stock and allow for the family to experience the closeness with the land and the livestock that comes from raising and caring for livestock.  We will strive to be an example of how to bridge the divide between conventional and natural/organic farming methods, recognizing there are benefits in each method.  We will promote our qualities without degrading other methodologies. 

Thorn Springs Farm is a small family farm, allowing a connection between the family, the livestock, and the land.  We will utilize best practices for our livestock and land, to grow a sustainable farm that can provide for itself, the family, and allow a positive impact on our community through helping feed those in need.