Noble Bear Highlands is part of Noble Bear Farm in the Cherokee National Forest of East Tennessee, owned by Darrin and Lydia Ingram. Lovers of the old ways and slow, mountain days, they retreated from suburban life to the mountains for a more focused, organic way of life. They grow organic crops using permaculture methods (such as companion planting) to avoid pesticides and herbicides in gardens and greenhouses, as well as employ forest farming methods and livestock species rotation for natural farm balance. And, of course, they breed incredible Highland cattle. 

Before establishing Noble Bear Farm, Darrin retired from the military after 26 years of service as a decorated officer in the United States Army. After a few years of running a strength and conditioning facility, unique endurance events, and international expeditions, the pandemic grounded this war horse and sent him in search of another worthy pursuit into which he could pour his drive, attention to detail, and desire to build something meaningful. He snapped up fifty acres of temperate rainforest in his native Tennessee with some vague ideas and determination, and the rest is history. 

Lydia was an educator and creative nonfiction writer in her native Alabama before being swept into Highlands with Darrin. A fan of doing difficult things for fun and trying anything once, it wasn't much of a leap to go from wrangling children and competing in endurance events to following Darrin into a forest to raise crops and livestock with absolutely no background in agriculture. While she occasionally writes for publication, the majority of her time is now spent either on cow business or trying her hand at mastering more traditional homestead arts. 

In addition to farm adventures, Darrin and Lydia also enjoy family adventures with their slew of children, hiking adventures at home and abroad, and accidental adventures...because life is short.