Nestled in the rolling plains of Greenbrier, Tanya and Chris Feagin spend most of their days counting Katahdin sheep. From breeding for superior genetics to crafting small-batch soaps, the Feagins have found a way to combine sustainability, science and a touch of creativity on their family farm.
When the couple decided to make better use of their acreage, cattle weren’t a realistic fit. “We really couldn’t do cattle efficiently and correctly,” Tanya said. “We’d had pygmy goats in the past and loved them, but we wanted something sustainable, something that could eventually turn into a profit for retirement.”
That search led them to Katahdin sheep, a breed prized for adaptability, parasite resistance and strong maternal instincts. By waiting until approximately one and a half years old to breed these ewes, the Feagins ensure not only that the mother and lambs will make it through a healthy pregnancy, but also the higher survival rate of the lambs.
Beyond their hardy traits, Katahdins offer flexibility in the market.
“There’s always a demand, whether you’re selling seed stock, meat or show animals. You’ve got options,” Tanya said.
The couple also chose to invest in registered seed stock rather than commercial animals, creating their own market and ensuring they could maintain superior genetics for future buyers.
“We want animals that can go into the show ring or into the pasture and still produce healthy lambs,” Tanya said. “It’s not something we take lightly. Every ram we bring in is carefully chosen to complement what we already have.”
Ewes, rams and lambs are no easy task for the Feagins – it’s hard work that requires sacrifice. During lambing season, they rarely leave the farm.
“I’m here 24/7,” she said. “But we balance it—we know when our busy times are, and we plan downtime and even date nights around that.”
The next step in their journey came unexpectedly—through dairy sheep. While caring for bottle-fed lambs, they began researching East Friesian dairy sheep, known for consistently producing dairy.
“At first, I thought I’d freeze the milk for emergencies,” she said. “But then we started drinking it ourselves and couldn’t believe how much we enjoyed it. Sheep’s milk is even more nutritious than goat or cow’s milk.”
That discovery led her down another path: soap-making. Inspired by the popularity of goat’s milk soap, she began experimenting with sheep’s milk recipes.
“I wanted simplicity—ingredients people could pronounce,” Tanya said. “Sheep’s milk already provides so much nutrition for the skin with its natural omega oils and minerals. Less is more.”
Her first recipe was a success, and family and friends quickly noticed the difference.
“They couldn’t believe how moisturizing it was,” she said.
She began making small batches for friends and family using high-quality fragrance oils and a cold-process method. Now, Rocking TLC Farms is ready for a wider launch.
After months of testing and tweaking, Rocking TLC Farms LLC and Rocking TLC Body Works LLC are officially open for orders. Customers can find soaps made with sheep’s milk online through their Facebook pages, and the couple plans to continue expanding offerings over time.
The business is more than a side project—it’s an extension of their philosophy of stewardship and sustainability.
“We wanted something that combined care for our animals with something people could truly benefit from,” Tanya said.
And for this Greenbrier couple, the connection between the land, the animals, and the products they create makes the hard work worthwhile.
