LEXINGTON, S.C. — Hidden Creek Stables in Lexington held a Christmas market over the weekend to help alleviate some of their rising farming costs.
In September, the USDA projected that U.S. net farm income would plummet by $42 to $141 billion, resulting in a 23% income drop from last year for farms across the country.
These findings and their personal experiences motivated the folks at Hidden Creek Stables to put on a Christmas market. Alexis Bennet, a family member who helps run the farm, said these events help them keep their doors open.
"Horses are super expensive. Hay is not cheap, grain is not cheap, and there are all kinds of supplements they're on to keep them where they need to be," Bennett said. "Especially during the winter, the hay cost goes up because they eat more. It's a lot to keep the horses up, so these events help us make the payments."
With horses, goats, turtles, and other animals on the farm, livestock is a growing expense. The U.S. Senate Ag Committee found that overall farm expenses are at a second-all-time high, and so are livestock feeds.
"People come out here and see this pretty barn and think we have it made but we have a lot of stuff to do to just make the mortgage," Bennett said. "This isn't a place that we're ever going to make money off of; it's just something we enjoy doing."
Several local businesses also came out to help put it on the market, and so did the Lexington community.
Matt Wilmot and his daughter made their way to the farm Sunday to play with the animals and keep their holiday spending and fun local.
"Keep everything in your local community and make sure your community thrives," Wilmost said.
Later on in the month, starting on Dec. 21, the farm will be hosting a Christmas horse camp. The camp will occur on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost is $75 per child per day. Anyone who wants to participate must RSVP.
