w Circle V Farms

from Discover Hancock County 2022

by Discover Hawkins County

w Precious Memories Pencil Drawings and Unique Impressions By Christi

Circle V Farms

Features A Cozy Silo Home Retreat

By Rita Dykes

Discover Haancock County Contributor

Have you ever driven down a country road in Northeast Tennessee, where the beauty of green fields and grazing cattle leads your eyes to a tall silo in the distance? If not, you must visit the breathtaking and bountiful farmland in Hancock County. Circle V Farms can treat you to more than a gaze across those fields. At Circle V Farms, you can spend days on the farm as you make yourself at home in a gorgeous renovated silo.

The charming Circle V Farms is tucked away in a very narrow valley approximately 15 minutes north of Sneedville. The rural location attracts visitors searching for a peaceful and relaxing getaway. “Our main attraction is the pure beauty our Appalachian valley provides. The beautiful fall colors of the valley are an added highlight for people from the city,” commented the owners’ son, Richardt. “Many enjoy watching the Jersey Cattle graze the valley in the morning while they are sitting outside having coffee, enjoying the hot tub or fire pit.” If visitors are looking for a little added adventure during their stay, they can hike one of the various trails on the farm or try

continued on page 46

their hand at catching a fish or two in the waters throughout the property.

Tom and Estie Visser, the owners of the farm, live there with three of their six children. The couple moved to the United States from South Africa in 1991. They later purchased a small lot in Hancock County and, over the years, have acquired more land to add to their little piece of paradise. Richardt said that the land where the farm is today was a forest when they first purchased it. “After clearing the trees, the land was used for cattle and crops. My brothers and I built grain bins to support the harvest of beans and corn.” Approximately two years ago, the Vissers discontinued using their farmland for crops but continue to raise cattle for beef and milking.

The Visser family is full of talented individuals. Being an engineer and an inventor by trade, Tom enjoys designing and building unusual items. While living in Florida, he invented and patented a large orangeharvesting machine. At that time, the family custom harvested oranges in the summer and spent their winters at their favorite place in Tennessee. Estie taught their children in school as they grew up and has always had a knack for making something homey and cozy by using the simplest of objects. Currently, Richardt maintains, up-keeps, and does most of the carpentry work needed on the farm. He loves working with his hands and finds much enjoyment in improving things around the farm to make them better and prettier. His other two siblings and their children also live on the farm and help maintain the property. Richardt said, “It is a family venture that everyone enjoys, even the in-laws.”

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Christmas at The Little Dipper

After Tom and Estie’s two older sons moved away to pursue other ventures, the farm was left with vacant grain bins and unused farmyards. The family then decided to utilize one silo in another way than storing grain. Richardt said, “After seeing some pictures of silo houses online, we decided to do it ourselves, and let others enjoy it!” Already being in the short-term rental business with two other places on the farm, the family began to renovate the silo in the spring of last year. Tom, Estie, Richardt and the rest of the family turned the crop-storing silo into a gorgeous living space in just a few short months. The silo was ready to be listed as a vacation rental by October 2021.

The Visser family plans to expand their rental offerings by creating a larger and more elaborate living space out of two connected grain bins. The new space will be large enough for a family holiday getaway. Richardt concluded, “We plan on pushing ourselves to be more creative, unique, and original with its indoor and outdoor design. We are also in the process of updating and remodeling our other rental properties. We are putting a lot of time and effort to upgrade the groundskeeping so that our guests are comfortable and that their visit is sure to bring beauty in all aspects.”

Future goals for Circle V Farms include the addition of multiple larger silo retreats with more amenities for guests to have a resort feel while visiting. The Vissers also hope to utilize their farm as an event venue.

For more information and pictures, visit www.circlevgetaways.com or follow the farm on Facebook. For reservations, visit www.airbnb.com/users/show/6949028.

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