Farm History

Yesterday…

In 1729 the King of England granted Valentine Hollyfield a land patent for several hundred acres of scenic Virginia countryside. Hollyfield built his home on this land in the mid 1700’s and the original brick home, expanded and modernized, remains today.

It seems fitting with its long history that Hollyfield Farm should be dedicated to raising American Mammoth Jackstock, a rare breed of exceptionally large donkeys. This breed had its beginning in the late 1700’s when George Washington imported a mammoth jack, Royal Gift, given to him by the King of Spain. Washington recognized the superior strength and hardiness of mules for farm work and the Father of our Country soon became the Father of the American Mule. Fittingly, in October of 2000, Hollyfield Farm donated a mammoth jack to Mount Vernon, Washington’s Virginia estate on the Potomac River. Hollyfield Royal Magic was the first mammoth jack to set foot on the grounds of Mount Vernon since Washington began raising mules.

…and today

We began breeding Mammoth Jackstock in the late 1970’s (just about 200 years after Washington) and Hollyfield farm has been home to these magnificent asses ever since. The farm now covers approximately 170 acres. The majority of this acreage is divided into three large pastures. The gently rolling pasture land has natural sources of water, small wooded areas and turn out sheds. We are fortunate our donkeys can remain on pasture year ‘round and live as close as possible to a “natural” existence. As an added benefit of living this way, young foals learn to drink out of creeks and springs, cross streams, climb hills, step over logs and, in general, become trail-wise at an early age.

The two largest pastures are home to our mature jennets; the smaller pasture is devoted to weanlings and yearlings. One of our jacks runs with each of our jennet herds. All of our jennets are field bred. We keep careful breeding records on each jennet and bred jennets are vet-checked in foal. When a jennet’s foaling date approaches, she is put into one of three closely monitored grass paddocks kept strictly for this purpose. In inclement weather, stalls are available for the mothers-to-be in a hand-pegged bank barn built in the late 1800’s. This lovely old barn is cool in the summer and offers protection against winter’s cold and winds. We attend each foaling and imprint the new arrivals.

We stand by our reputation for producing fine Jackstock and recognize that those who purchase donkeys from us are continuing this tradition. Buyers receive a written purchase guarantee covering the health, soundness and fertility of their new donkey; complete health records showing the dates of worming, vaccination and hoof trimming; registration certificate(s); and photos of their donkey as a newborn. We value our buyers and do our best to treat them the way we would want to be treated.

Location

Hollyfield Farm is located in Northern Virginia off Route 7, about 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. and 40 miles east of Winchester, VA (located on Interstate 81). Dulles International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the farm. Visitors are always welcome by appointment.

Mary Ellen appears on TV driving her mule, Dolly, 27