Live on 100-acre Farm, Pet Horses, Gather Eggs, Hike, Fish & Swim

About Walton & Betty Conway

Walton and Betty Conway are hosts and caretakers of the farm. While Walton grew up in the city dreaming of life in the country and desperately wanting a horse, Betty grew up in the High Country on a small family farm, where her dad kept horses, chickens, rabbits, beagles, goats, and whatever else he took a fancy to. She can't remember not having a horse to ride, or a bored moment. Though she sold her horse when she was 16 to buy a car, and drove off to Florida, Texas, then Canada, the mountains and country living always had a pull on her. Finally, she gave in and returned to the place that was dearest to her heart, and is now delighted to give her children the mountain roots and country upbringing that have meant so much to her. Living in the beautiful, peaceful mountains, surrounded by farm critters great and small, has been a dream come true for Walton and Betty. We are thrilled to be able to share the dream with vacationers who would like to sample this lifestyle, if only for a week.

Walton & Betty Conway purchased this Farmhouse in 2003

Why Walton & Betty Conway chose Todd

Years ago, back in the 1940’s, the farm got started by brothers Robey and Noah Greer, who together owned pretty much the whole valley. The Old Farmhouse belonged to Betty’s great uncle Robey, while Noah built the Pioneer House just a little bit further up the hollow. They made a living raising sheep and cattle, running a saw mill, trapping, bee keeping, wild crafting, and doing whatever else they could to live off their land, as was typical on any such Appalachian family farm. Though it left the family and changed hands a number of times, and got divided up over the years, the heart of the farm was still intact and up for sale when we found ourselves looking for the perfect place to settle down, pasture our horses, and raise our children. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to bring the place back into the family, and continue on a tradition and lifestyle that Betty’s family has known for many generations. In 2003 we bought what portion we could of Robe’s half of the farm, and over the course of a couple years were able to build a new farmhouse, then turn the Old Farmhouse into a guest house/vacation rental. There is a wonderful spirit to the place; I suppose that is why everyone falls in love with it and is so eager to return at the next opportunity. The farm history took a surprising turn in 2013. Noah’s son, Barton, had lived in the run-down Pioneer House up until his death in 2004, at which time Noah’s half of the farm, still intact, fell to Barton’s daughter, Della. Her husband saw big dollar signs in this windfall, and began to turn the farm into—gasp!!--a housing development. During the development process, the economy went bust and he went bankrupt. Our prayers were answered when the large portion of Noah’s farm adjoining our tract was offered for sale in 2013; we jumped at the opportunity to save the old farm and bring the Greer brothers’ farm back together. In 2015 we recovered another 30 acres which feature the Willet Nest, the house up high.

What makes this Farmhouse unique

To leave the sounds of the city behind, and soak up the peaceful serenity of the country seasons, is a balm for the soul. The hard work of never-ending farm chores is so very much offset by the beauty of the quiet valley that the chores become a pleasure. They are the antidote to sitting in front of a computer monitor from 9 to 5. We do have full-time jobs that take us to Boone, which serves as our daily reminder that we live in heaven. We look forward to and count as precious the days we don't have to go anywhere, the days we can spend all day working, playing, and relaxing at our year-round vacation home here at Willet Ponds Horse Farm.