how it all began

In 2005, Olga left her friends and the home she had nurtured and loved most all her adult life in Durham NC, for the country.  A perfect life it seemed, good job, great friends, great house and community....but something was missing.  Something about nature and the land called her.  Against the advice of friends and advisers, she found the place she would put down roots in Alamance County, NC.   A house and barns in need of much repair and land that clearly had been loved, but abandoned.   Alone in this vast new world with an old Ford pick up she named Floyd, Olga began the adventure.  One of her sister's favorite stories is the night Olga came home to this boundless  land and all these empty buildings asking herself..."What have I done?"  I've left everything I know, all my friends and familiar places.  Her childhood training was such that whining wasn't an option,  "Pick yourself up by those boot straps and deal with it!"  Olga climbed into her pickup and drove to the back of the property.  Parked in the middle of a pasture, with  a glass of wine, she sat on the old Ford's tailgate,  looked up at the sky and with out a moments hesitation otherwise....it all made sense.  

As it became more and more evident that she was in over her head, Olga sought the advice of John M. Elder...the rest is history.  

John grew up in the mountains of N.C.  His family farmed cattle, sheep, horses, and crops.  He  has wonderful memories and values the richness of his childhood, but as he reached the age to decide if farming was his future, he ran to anything but.   He recalls, "it was hard work"!  

No one would ever imagine John would ever leave the NC mountain area but especially for the Piedmont region where temperatures do go over 80 degrees.  John loves to say, "I'm not sure if I fell in love with a girl or a farm."

 They married in 2008.  Together they farm, run the business, and play.  Together they say, "it's hard work but we love it"!

Olga loves to finish the story by saying, "I followed my heart and love found me".  

Our Farm's Milestones

• 2005: Our journey begins with the purchase of our farm.

• 2006: The arrival of our first Navajo Churro sheep marks the start of our flock.

• 2007: We officially open for business and welcome the gentle Dorset breed to our farm.

• 2008: A year of celebration as we get married and begin selling at the Durham Farmers Market.

• 2009: We expand our production with community help and achieve Whole Foods' highest Eco Scale Rating.

• 2011: Our presence grows as we start selling at the Greensboro Curb Market.

• 2014: We introduce Corriedale sheep and form a cooperative to meet growing demand.

• 2016: We renovated our historic barn into the "Wool House" and join Target's Made in America initiative.

• 2024: We continue our tradition at the Durham Farmers Market, sell directly from our farm, and host exciting on-farm events.

• 2024: We expanded our product line adding lanolin based products, additional wool household items and entered the clean beauty arena

• 2025: We hired a “Director of Details”

Learn more about our farm

Our Mission

Through preservation-minded, sustainable business and farming practices, Stoney Mountain Farm provides all natural, eco-friendly, 100% wool products to its customers.    Moreover, Stoney Mountain Farms strives for a premium customer service experience at all times.