The family has been farming for more than 25 years on multiple farms in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Born into farming, both sets of Erik Holbrook’s grandparents provided for their families by raising cattle and farming to***co. Although his parents worked public jobs, after work they farmed on rented ground growing to***co, corn and soybeans. By age 12, Erik had taken over much of the farming, as his father’s employment moved out of state. In 1993, the family purchased a farm that did not have much crop land; but was comprised mostly of timber and reclaimed mine land. About this time his grandfather decided to retire from cattle farming, selling his herd to Erik’s family. As with many eastern Kentucky folks, Erik’s parents lost their jobs when the coal industry began to decline. They continued to farm corn and raise cattle, and began logging the family farm, to provide for their family. Erik helped with the logging operation after school and on the weekends. He was so influenced by this industry that he would later earn a degree in forestry. When his father was advised by doctors that he could no longer endure the physical demands of logging; Erik continued the operations.
2001 was a monumental year. When the farm that Erik’s family had rented for row crops, located at Roaring Shoals Branch, was being sold he had the opportunity to purchase it. He also graduated college and established Holbrook Wood Products. For the next 13 years, Holbrook Wood Products specialized in logging and saw mill operation. His farming operation slowly transitioned from row crops into growing hay for the cattle . Erik made his home on the Roaring Shoals Branch property, marrying his wife Amy a few years later. Amy was also raised on a farm in Breathitt County. Upon the birth of their first son, they began to concentrate on growing the cattle herd in order for Erik to be closer to home, as Amy’s job is a far commute. Erik also began transitioning from logging into custom excavation work. Current day their herd is in excess of 70 head and they grow over 100 acres of hay/haylage.
