Liberty Oak Farms

Compost Pile - Rick Hollar with grandson, Coleman Bello

As a young boy, Rick Hollar spent weekends and summers on his grandfather’s farm in Herndon, Virginia, where he raised cattle, poultry and horses.  In 1968 Rick’s family “immigrated” to San Antonio.

After high school, Rick attended Texas A&M with his high school sweetheart, Debbie.  Graduating from A&M in 1977 with a degree in Poultry Science (yes it is a science), Rick began a career as an Army Infantry Officer. 

Rick Hollar, his 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren

Rick and Debbie also began their family in 1978 and by 1986 their fourth daughter was born.  Ashley, Laura, Melanie and Julia we active in school, sports and 4H and FFA, and of course horses.  The girls bought their first horse in 1991 and beginning a collection of over a dozen horses and pony “best friends”.  In 1995, Rick retired from the Army and began working as a defense contractor, in DeRidder, Louisiana. 

After 10 years in Louisiana and Florida, the Hollar family settled in Leander.  This was to be their retirement home, a place to raise and spoil our grandchildren. In 2007 Debbie, his high school sweetheart, wife and companion for over 34 years, lost a five-year battle with cancer.  Later that year, Rick moved to the farm in Liberty Hill.

The “farm” had once been part of a larger ranch and the house on the property was once the ranch foreman’s house.  Julia and husband, Lee Bello, began developing an organic farm and Rick started boarding horses.  Julia and Lee began the arduous tasks trying to restore the soil to its all natural, chemical-free state.  

Nurturing the land using all natural processes and techniques, they set out to achieve USDA organic status.  Now in the fourth year, the Liberty Oak Farm family continues learning new farming techniques, seeking new outlets for our produce, and expanding the amount of land in garden production. 

The horse boarding operation is also part of our all natural lifestyle.  Pastures are rotated regularly to prevent compaction and fertilized with compost tea brewed on the farm. New vegetable beds are meticulously planned by Lee each year. 

Over 20 tons of compost are used each year to revitalize the soil.  Since November of 2006, no chemical fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides have been used.  A water filtration system takes 99.5% of all chemicals and minerals from the water sources used on the gardens and for the livestock and horses. 

Sara, head of varmint control with Bucky, a rescued deer

Pest and varmint control is the responsibility of Poncho, Sara, and Willie and Waylon, Great Pyrenees brothers.   Life at the farm is a bit like living on Noah’s Ark.  Chickens, cows, a rescued deer, dogs and cats associate freely in a curious harmony.

Waylon cooling off

Poncho, waiting so as to not miss the next ride with Rick