Project Description

“These books would never have been written if I had not come here.”

Dr. Suzanne Mello-Irwin never imagined that she would be living on a farm, though when Bobby Irwin introduced her to the land and the black angus cattle on Stratford Oaks farm in Sparta, NC, she fell in love.

With her background in education, Dr. Irwin preserves the rich history on Irwin Mountain with children’s books written through the eyes of the animals that live on the farm.

Pygmy goat Gretchen lost the ability to walk on all four legs after surviving a dog attack. When Dr. Irwin shared the story with her students, she realized the power Gretchen’s story had to inspire the children to move beyond their setbacks.

By Alli Rowe

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