LICKSKILLET ACRES

WHERE ANIMALS RULE AND DREAMS COME TRUE

BY TIFFANY LESTER

Atop a hill in Adger, Alabama sits a hidden gem called Lickskillet Acres.

Owned by Wally and Beth Kornegay, this extraordinary farm is not your typical agricultural venture. With a collection of animals that range from myotonic goats to a friendly camel named Hank, Lickskillet Acres is a place where dreams come true and hearts are touched.

“It's a lot of fun. It's a lot of work, but it's very rewarding work,” Beth said.

The Lickskillet Acres journey began 21 years ago with just one myotonic goat, aka Tennessee fainting goat. Today, the Kornegays have the largest herd of myotonic goats in Alabama. Their farm is a haven for 60 of them plus 28 hair sheep, miniature zebu cows, turkeys, peacocks, guineas, chickens, dogs, and even rare white emus. At one point, they had 140 myotonic goats.

“We've got a little over 200 acres out here in the woods. We've got 40 acres under fence, so all the animals have plenty of room to eat and graze and run around. Hank and some of our animals run loose every day out here on the property. All we have to do is holler and they'll all come go right back in the pen,” explained Wally.

“A friend of ours found out about a small herd of camels that he wanted a couple of, but he didn't want them all. So, he called and asked if we were still looking for one. So that's when we wound up with Hank six years ago, and we got him when he was six months old, and now he's about six and a half, and he's nothing but a spoiled brat."

And he’s a ham for the camera, too. The two-humped cutie likes to be front and center. He even gets special treats of honey buns.

The couple's love for their animals extends beyond their farm. They spread joy by taking their adorable creatures to schools, birthday parties and petting farms. They also participate in around 20 live nativities each December.

“It's really rewarding to see the kids and stuff that have never seen a live animal. A lot of places we go where they can pet them. Trussville Baptist has a one-day event. Last year, there were a little over 400 kids who had their picture made sitting on his back," said Wally.

Among their favorite events is the Rolling Pumpkin Patch, specially designed for children with disabilities. Hank, the camel, plays a crucial role, offering children in wheelchairs or walkers the opportunity to sit on him.

“I think that's an awesome thing because it's something they wouldn't have access to,” Beth said.

The wide range of creatures at Lickskillet Acres make a lot of mouths to feed, but luckily, they’re all easy to please.

“We usually feed twice a day, which we don't need to, especially in the summer,” explained Wally. “And believe it or not, all of our animals, the goats, sheep and everything eat the same feed. It's a 16% goat feed from the Co-op. We get it three tons at a time, and they all eat the same thing. All we buy is goat feed, dog feed, and cat feed.”

The success of Lickskillet Acres wouldn't be possible without the support of their local Co-ops. The Tuscaloosa Farmers Cooperative has become an indispensable asset to the Kornegays.

“They're like family. Only you get along with them better,” laughed Beth.

“Having a farm, you've got to have somebody that's reliable, a place that's reliable, that's always got what you need, and that's the trigger. The key thing with the Co-op is they got what you need,” Wally added.

From providing reliable feed for their animals to offering expert advice on various farming aspects, the Co-op has become an essential part of their lives. The exceptional service and genuine care they receive from the Co-op are what set it apart from other stores.

“We bought feed from different stores and different places around, and it was always sporadic whether they would have the feed or could get it in on time, and I started dealing with Wayne down at Northport on my business. I did grassing. I would buy grass seed and fertilizer and stuff from him. Then I started buying my goat feed from him. He said he could get it for me when he told me he would,” Wally explained. “Anytime I've got any questions on worming, pest control, weed control, I call down. They give me what I need to use, and they've always got it in stock. They tell me how much to use when I'm putting out different chemicals. We buy quite a lot of seed and fertilizer for our jobs from them. They mix our seed, fertilizer, and all together. We take our spreader buggy down, they load it up, we go put it out, and we've had really good success doing that with them. And all of the people at the Co-op are just super friendly and super helpful. You're not going to find any of them down there that don't go above and beyond trying to help you out,” explained Wally.

Lickskillet Acres is more than just a farm; it's a place filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable experiences. Wally and Beth’s unwavering dedication to their animals and close relationship with the Coop have paved the way for their remarkable success, which goes far beyond their 40 acres of fenced-in paradise.

To visit Lickskillet Acres or request their participation in your event, please call 205-281-0256.