About

History of Claxton Farm

When Porter and Martha Ann Claxton and their 5 children moved to the farm in 1976, it consisted of 60 acres with a small roadside cabin, an old tobacco barn and a shed with milking parlor, a spring house and an out-house - all in ruin. They built a log house and a pond. The land was cleared making pastures. A small herd of commercial cattle was converted to a Registered Herd of Polled Herefords.

 

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Claxton Farm is a working farm. Photo by Whitmeyer Photography
Through the ensuing years a menagerie of animals was added. A tradition developed as Porter and the children gave Martha Ann different animals as a surprise present at Christmas. Many times the neighbors would help by hiding animals until Christmas Eve, and it was always the first question Christmas morning, "What did Martha Ann get this year?" These animals included sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, miniature horses, donkeys and a camel!

 

One year against her expressed wishes she thought that she had received a milk cow when the children painted black shoe polish on a white Charolais cow named Snowball making her look like a Holstein milk cow. A surprise for the ages, and an everlasting story that gets better each time it is told.

Through the years the opportunity came up to acquire land adjacent to the farm. Always looking for more pasture for the cattle, the farm grew to more than 500 acres. A pond was built by taking the top from a near by hill, creating a dam. This resulted in a flat area we now call the Flat Top. In 1996, Joe Lasher of M7 Event Solutions saw this area while looking for a spot to have a picnic. He immediately recognized its potential for special events. The mountains and meadows surround the Flat Top and one feels the beauty of the site and in touch with nature. This is a unique experience we are happy to share.


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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new event barn, May 2010.
Photo by Woodward + Rick Photographers

 

On November 2, 2009 Claxton Farm lost to fire the 100 year old tobacco barn which had been host to hundreds of events over the last decade. However, it did not take but a few days before it was announced that the Claxton Family had decided to rebuild on the exact spot! Claxton Farm is just too magical for events to cease. In just under 5 months a new event barn was erected and the 2010 event season carried on as planned, fulfilling the tradition of creating incredible memories!

Currently, Claxton Farm is very active with 150 Registered Polled Hereford cattle, Registered Miniature Horses and Llamas. These are available for private treaty sales and on-farm auction sales have been held every other year. School tours and birthday parties may be scheduled at the farm while M7 will arrange for any Special Event at the Flat Top.

 

Who is M7

M7 Event Solutions is a special event facility management company that assists with creating memorable experiences. M7 was founded in 1998, operating two premier venues in Asheville...Claxton Farm in Weaverville and The Crest Center and Pavilion in Asheville. We have beautifully unique facilities where we can care for large or small events. Whether it is a small meeting or a large wedding reception...we do it all!

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We have a full service kitchen with an incredible Executive Chef that along with his team can create a simple meal to an elaborate display; the best part is that you decide! We provide professional service staff to see to your needs throughout the event. Team M7 will coordinate all the details of your event so that you too can be a guest at your own meeting or event.

We pride ourselves on our customer service and genuinely want to help you create a memorable event for you and your guests. You can have an event anywhere, but let M7 Event Solutions help you to create memories. Contact us with your ideas!

Micah Hartley, Event Sales Manager

Micah-Hartley-2 “Hospitality has been a love of mine since I was a young child, imagining myself as a waitress in my Grandparent’s kitchen and patio.  I wanted to serve them whatever they asked for!  I began my real life within hospitality at the age of 15 and have since found a place I feel at home.  Home is where my time is of true value, not only to myself, but those around me as well.  To be a part of the Claxton Farm experience is an honor!  I look at my job as a self portrait and I truly look forward to doing all I can to make your “M7 Experience” a successful one!”

Allen Dye, Executive Chef

Chef-Allen-Dye “In the spring of 2000 I joined the M7 team as a catering production chef for Fine Friends Restaurant here in Asheville, and with the opening of Crest Conference Center in 2003, I assumed responsibility for all food service at M7 Event Solutions.  My office, my home, my pride and joy are now at M7 Event Solutions & Catering.