Hi, my name is Rick Nash. My wife, Janet and I own and operate Janrick Farm, in Olar, SC.  I retired from the US Navy Submarine Service in 1996 as a Nuclear Electrician (operator/instructor) and currently work for a government contractor at the nearby Savannah River Site. Janet ran a local swimming pool shop with her brother and later worked at a local bank.  She is now full time on the farm.

We were married (our second) in 2010 and shared the common goal of having our horses (boarded with friends at that time) co-located with us as soon as possible.  I had been dreaming of having a “farm” since my teenage years, so I had been reading, researching, talking with farmers, and experimenting with planting practices. Over the years I worked part-time with a Brahman cattle operation as a teenager and with my father (in another state) raising Brangus cattle.  I owned horses while living in Idaho and, and while stationed on shore-duty in the Charleston, SC area we started a “rabbit farm” housing about 200 breeding stock rabbits and raising earthworms under the rabbit cages.  I had exposure to some aspects of farm life but was by no means experienced!  Janet had horses since her childhood but had no additional experience with a farm. What could go wrong?!

In late 2011, we approached the widowed landowner of a nearby property with the proposal of a long term lease of her property in exchange for improvements and a modest yearly lease payment. After a brief negotiation, our proposal was accepted!  The property was located about a ¼ mile from our residence at that time, so it was very convenient.

Most of the 70 acre property had been logged several years before, but 18 acres of it was basically cleared and a small portion was used by a relative for hay production. Pastures were grown up in weeds and small saplings, fences were down and many of the posts were unusable.  Watermelons were previously planted in a large portion of the open area, so raised rows and irrigation drip-tape remained from this practice.  A small stock pond located in a low area was built in the late seventies to water livestock, but no other water source or electrical service were available on the property.  Trash, old farm equipment, tires and debris, downed fences and trees ensured we would be busy improving the property.  We were excited to get started!

Our goal? To fence and improve the land, purchase, and raise cattle, explore farming/ranching options, and if the property was a good fit for us, purchase the property as soon as it became available.