Jodee and Johnathan Watkins began their journey to create JBW Farms with a simple knock on their neighbor's door. Their current 104-acre farm was originally used for their business, Pet Commander Kennels, but JoDee was curious about the neighboring house. The two-story home needed a lot of work and love, but she felt compelled to give it a try. After knocking on the door and meeting her neighbors, she made an offer to purchase the home and the 4 acres it sat on. The rest is history—or so she thought.

     After renovating the house and conducting some research, the Watkins family uncovered a history that felt destined. The home had been passed down through six generations in Johnathan's family, ultimately returning to him. At that time, the family's plan wasn’t to operate a market; they simply lived in the home for a while. However, in June 2024, they decided to transform their family home into what is now JBW Farms. Jodee and Johnathan expressed, "We wanted to spend more time with our kids and grandchildren. This gives us a chance to be together."

     When we asked the family about their biggest challenge in owning a business in the area, their response inspired us. JoDee's son shared, "It's hard to get the word out about what we do here, but it's even more challenging to convey why we are doing this." He went on to explain that  

Jonathan and JoDee have a profound love for their community, home, and family. Their hearts are so big, and they genuinely want to help as many people as possible. Many assume they aren't from this area, but we at The Owings Tribute want everyone to know that the roots of JBW Farms run deep here. JoDee, with tears in her eyes, added, "The greatest thing to happen since opening is spending time with my family. We do this together, and I love it."

JBW Farms offers a wide range of fresh meats, including chicken, lamb, pork, and beef, as well as local products from various small businesses. The market features candles, coffee, soaps, Happy Cow products, homemade breads, eggs, honey, and more. JoDee plans to host fall markets, farm tours, and events. The market also includes an Airbnb upstairs and a beautiful screened-in porch out back, providing a fantastic view of the farm.

     We hope you stop in and meet this beautiful family and strike up a conversation with them. Let their passion shine through their words, hard work, and drive to support this community. Their market hours are Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 1pm to 4pm.

     A family from Ireland has made Gray Court their new home. Laura, who works with Croilar Equine, is dedicated to reaching the hearts of many in the community. They recently purchased the Mile Back Speedway and have worked tirelessly to transform it into a beautiful horse farm. The speedway was shut down a few years ago due to noise ordinance issues, but Laura and her family saw the land's potential. "We want to be stewards of the land rather than just owners," Laura explains. They own about fifty acres but only utilize around thirteen. The family has worked hard to remain chemical-free and preserve the land's original state. With help from Jean Holiday, a late local resident, they have successfully grown grass and secured supplies of hay.

     The family moved to the area around 2017 and opened their farm to the public in 2021. The farm is home to eleven horses of various kinds, including a mini donkey, Shetland ponies, Irish workhorses, and more. Laura holds several degrees in the equine industry, and her passion truly shines when she talks about the animals. She loves interacting with the community and says their kindness makes her feel at home.

     Croilar Farm offers a variety of experiences to the public, including summer camps for kids and riding lessons that cater to ages three and up. "I want nervous people to come see me. I want to help heal them at any age. People open up to animals, and I've found it to be a healing process for most," Laura states. She emphasizes that age doesn't matter and invites everyone to visit the farm. The summer camps are currently ongoing and include many educational activities for children, such as science lessons, knowledge about horses and animals, horse care, and even riding lessons.

     We hope you and your family will visit their farm to see the passion they put into their work for yourselves. 

Croilar summer camp information:

Week 6 - June 30th-July 4th

Week 7 - July 7-11th

Week 8 - July 14-18th

Week 9 - July 21-25th

Week 10 - July 28th-

August 1st, Ponies and other farm animals, arts and crafts, face painting, & fun games!! Extraordinary Price is $225 per week

*Time: 9am - 2pm Recommended *Ages 5-12 years

Call: 864-230-6180 to book now!

*Location: 905 Mileback Drive, Gray Court, SC, 29645 

     A local North Greenville graduate is launching his business in the area. This young entrepreneur has set his sights on making a significant impact in the community. Now twenty-two years old, Robert says he stumbled into his job while searching for ways to earn money during college. He recalls, “I kept asking my mom for money, and she was tired of it. So, I used my pickup truck and started posting around to see if anyone needed junk removed from their homes.”

     Robert's side hustle quickly gained momentum, and he found himself helping people throughout the community. This venture grew into a seven-man crew, and before he knew it, Robert fell in love with the business. The group of young men now assists residents in removing discarded items from their yards.

     Robert attributes his success to his faith in God. After finishing school, he experienced a lot of doubt and worry, but he trusted God to help guide him. He encourages young people to start their own businesses and aims to inspire even high school students, saying, “If you have a truck and can drive, you can do this.”

     He also has plans to expand his business and reach out-of-state for further success. Robert's company, MOVE Junk Removal, can be reached through their website, and they are always eager to lend a helping hand to their community.

  Movejunkremoval.com  

     Greenville Technical College provides numerous career opportunities through its educational programs. We spoke with Terrance, the head director of the welding, electrical, and HVAC departments, to learn more about these trades. These fields make a significant impact on our community, and Terrance highlighted that each program offers a degree in just 12 months. “This is a great option for students who don’t want to pursue the traditional four-year degree,” he explained. With the new semester approaching, Terrance emphasized that now is the perfect time to get started. The fall semester begins in August, and they welcome students aged sixteen and up. “These courses are also available for high school students, providing them with the opportunity to dual enroll,” he added.

     Terrance shared that he has seen students from various age groups, including someone in their seventies. He is passionate about these programs, as he began his own journey at Greenville Technical College, where he earned a degree in welding. After working as a welder and becoming a certified welding inspector, he received an offer to teach at the college, allowing him to give back and inspire more individuals to enter the trades.

     As a local resident of the Gray Court area for the past six years, Terrance and his family own a small hobby farm, which they lovingly refer to as their paradise. He also mentioned an exciting development: a new facility will open this fall for the HVAC and electrical programs, while a new welding facility is slated to be completed by fall 2026. Classes are available during both the day and night and the college offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and financial aid.

     “Anyone with passion or drive can succeed in these programs. Whether you want to learn to weld something in your garage or pursue a lifetime career, it’s all possible,” Terrance stressed. Although formal education is not mandatory to work in these trades, it is highly recommended. The college provides students with hands-on experience and valuable knowledge within just 12 months. Additionally, they host two career fairs each year for their students.

     At The Owings Tribune, we support education and hope this article encourages individuals to enroll for the upcoming fall semester. If you decide to sign up, be sure to tell Terrance we sent you!

     Hunting is a passion for many members of our community, and Wes Looney has successfully turned that passion into a small business. An avid duck hunter, Wes began making his own calls during the COVID pandemic. His love for transforming wood into functional items sparked an even greater interest in crafting. Over time, he expanded his creations to include a variety of calls.

     During the off-season, Wes stays busy making custom calls that showcase different wood grains, resins, and colors. He has crafted personalized calls for Clemson and Gamecock fans, as well as a golfing-themed call.

     The process of making a call is time-consuming, but Wes enjoys every moment. “There’s something special about turning a block of wood into a duck call. It can take days depending on how frequently I pause and resume working on one, but when I finish, I take pride in all the effort I’ve put in,” he explains. In addition to duck calls, Wes also makes deer and goose calls. Recently, he has ventured into crafting decoys, describing the experience as a “labor of love,” humorously noting, “It might be more of a labor than love.”

     All of Wes's decoy supplies are locally sourced and made by hand, as he aims to keep his products as handmade as possible. He will showcase his decoys, calls, hand-tied lanyards, and toats at the upcoming farmers' market in Gray Court, Owings. Wes invites the community to come out and support him, promising demonstrations of his decoys.

     This unique business is one to watch, and we encourage all local hunters to support Wes's small business. To learn more about his creations, please reach out to him.

Find them On FB @

GroundSwat Game Calls and Canvas Decoys

     The Ziemer Family Farmstand, which began with just chickens, has since expanded to offer a variety of products. It's been wonderful to witness their growth. Savannah reflects on the challenges they faced during their first year, such as predators threatening their chickens and the difficulty of growing anything in the red clay soil. However, these experiences provided valuable lessons that propelled them forward in the following years.

     Although the idea of farming originated with Savannah, her husband quickly embraced it and has also developed a passion for it. After three years of hard work, they have successfully built fences, cleared trees, and made significant progress.

     Last year, they focused on building their clientele by participating in various events. Their latest endeavor is the farmstand, where they offer a range of products, including eggs, bread, dehydrated rabbit feet for dog treats, jams made from local fruits, locally sourced soaps, and more. They are continuously adding new items to the stand and hope you'll come by to visit them.

     The farmstand is open most weekends, with hours on Friday from 12 PM to 8 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. To learn more about their farm and all that they offer, please check out their page.

FB@ 

Ziemer Family farmstand

     Every year, my family and I go on a vacation. We planned a cruise this year, and the children are so excited. My husband chose this year's trip because I decided on last year's. We have been doing the monthly payment package and should have it paid off very soon. Recently, I got a promotion at my job and even a nice-sized bonus. My husband is upset with me because instead of using it to pay off our cruise package early, I chose to take a second vacation later in the year with just him and me. I understand his side of paying off the cruise package, but I wish he could see my side, too. We never get time just the two of us, and this other vacation I paid for with my bonus could be an excellent opportunity for us to spend together. Should I cancel the trip I have planned with him? Do I put the bonus money into paying off the cruise? I should also note that we both cover the cost of the cruise package. I also explained to him that with my recent promotion, I can pay more towards the cruise payments to help pay it off earlier. He is still frustrated with me about it all, and I don’t know what to do

Dear Vacation Frustration,

     I definitely would not cancel the trip you have planned for the two of you. A family vacation isn’t much of a “vacation” at all. You both will need some extra time to relax by that point. Balance is so important in relationships, even when it comes to vacation trips! Having one family vacation and one quality time trip with your husband is the perfect balance. Besides, you worked for your bonus check, not him! You deserve to spend that money how you want to, and the fact that you chose to spend it on intentional time with him is kind, gracious, and demonstrates your priorities well!

It’s not like your payments for the cruise are delayed due to booking the other trip. It’s a true bonus trip—a trip you wouldn’t have booked if it weren’t for the bonus money you earned! You’ll pay off the family vacation just as expected. I think it was wise to offer to pay more with your extra funds from your paycheck. I’m sure that would help him feel as though the effort is being poured in from your side as well. He is probably flattered and excited deep down. Who wouldn’t be?! Sometimes, sharing news like, “I booked us a trip for just the two of us,” has to be presented a certain way and at a certain time in order to maximize the surprise effect and get the reaction you were thinking of getting.

     There are some factors that go into a proper surprise. Also, he may just feel pressured to pay off the trip as soon as possible. Once it’s paid off and the pressure is off, he’ll likely feel differently about the bonus trip. Is it possible that he’s just a tiny bit jealous of your bonus? Sometimes it’s hard when one spouse starts making a bit more money while the other is still making the same amount! Just throwing that out there. Give it time. Just drop the topic, and if he brings it up again, just remind him of how much fun both trips will be with the right mindset. Money is made to spend! I bet once the cruise is paid off, he won’t have an ill word to say. Just be patient with his big feelings. He will come around, and I bet he’ll even be thanking you by the end of it. The vacation frustration will turn to vacation elation! Safe travels (and bonus travels)!

     For weeks now, I've been exploring Gray Court and speaking with many community members, small businesses, and farms. I may receive some criticism for my editorial observations in this edition, but please remember that these are just my thoughts. The feedback I consistently hear is discouraging: local businesses are struggling to engage with the community and often have to travel to Fountain Inn or Laurens to generate sales. If they aren't traveling, their customers are.

     Why is this happening? Where is the support from our locals? These hardworking men, women, and families are marketing their businesses on social media, distributing flyers, attending local events, and employing various advertising methods, yet the results are always the same.

     Seeking perspective, the only explanation I can come up with is convenience. We aren't a town filled with side-by-side businesses, drive-throughs, or easily accessible interactions. Instead, we are a community of at-home businesses, lacking traditional brick-and-mortar stores, and characterized more by conversations, farm stands, and personal interactions.

     I’ve seen the posts and comments expressing that many do not want Gray Court to become a pass-through town, yet at the same time, there is a desire to avoid turning into another Fountain Inn. If there is one thing I’ve learned through this journey, it’s that change is inevitable; it’s coming to our town. We, as a community, need to be part of that change before it unfolds right before our eyes. Our local businesses need our support, and we must work to preserve the history of our town.

     I know from experience that the community prefers to have locals running the shops, businesses, and restaurants here. So, how can we reach you? How can we shout from the rooftops, "We are here!"? How can we become more convenient for our community to encourage them to stop and support local?

     I pose these questions with love and understanding. I am passionate about helping the small businesses in our area. This is just one perspective, and we all know that opinions are like… well, you know the saying. Ill sign off for now and keep digging for answers. In the mean time, seek out your local business and farm stands. You just might be the person that keeps them going.