South Carolina man Grows local veggies at 9 Bulldogs Farm

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA—A Charleston, SC man has decided to make Lawrence County his home and spend time organic gardening in order to provide fresh vegetables to people all over the area at his 9 Bulldogs Farm.

Jack Van Vlack, 56, has been farming for three years, first at Fallsburg, and now at a property owned by Christy Moore at Zelda Loop. He has been driving to and from South Carolina, but says now he plans to stay in Lawrence County four days a week and the other three in South Carolina, where he holds down a job in order to keep his health insurance. “I came here five years ago where I did charity work for the Foodbank in Blaine,” Vlack said.

“Tyler Childers album Purgatory had a picture of Lawrence County on the cover and I wanted to see it. I came for the music and stayed for the people. I met Wes Kingsmore, Chris Jobe and Daniel Castle, and they are some of the nicest people you would ever have a chance to meet. I was impressed when during the icestorm, Daniel Castle went out to check on the elderly to make sure they were okay. Any time you need help you can talk to one of those guys and they know a guy who can help you. Anyone willing to help another is not normal in the cities.”

Vlack explained that farming is becoming a dying breed and he wants to provide an option for people. “I do a modern style of farming. I had two, 100 ft tunnels destroyed during the wind storm. I have parts ordered to get the second one up,” Vlack said. “I grow quick to maturity crops, 60 days or less. I also do no till farming and use no synthetic fertilizer. As for tomatoes, I only grow cherry tomatoes. I want to create something that Lawrence County and Kentucky can be proud of. Work hard and people willsupport it.

Vlack sells his produce at some of the area Farmer’s Markets and he will set up in Louisa every Friday. To reach him, you can message him on Facebook at 9 Bulldogs Farm.

“I’m not affiliated with Tyler Childers, I just love his music,” Vlack said.