‘Make it a Grand Week’- Olivia Lobertini, The Grand on Central

Life lessons go hand-in-hand with Catherine “Cat” Neiheisel’s successes on the family farm

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- As in most cases, grandma knows best. Just ask Catherine “Cat” Neiheisel. Cat’s grandmother, Grams, Carol Neiheisel, had the healing prescription when she realized Catherine wasn’t focusing and learning like she should be in elementary school.

“I thought having her get involved with animals would be a way to help her focus and learn,” said Carol. Carol, Grams, teaches special education at Caryville Elementary School and was once a 4-H member herself. “I guess you could say it’s in the blood,” said Carol.

Three lambs were born in December on Cat’s family farm at Long Hollow, a small, mini farm, according to Carol. Along with the baby lambs, there are three mother lambs on the farm, Chloe, Meg and Sarah. “We’ve not named the three young lambs yet; still working on that,” said Catherine.

Cat, a 7th grader at La Follette Middle School, says her favorite part of all of this is the life lessons. “It teaches you confidence, respect and responsibility. It’s also brought me very far in life, helped my social skills and got me out of my cocoon,” said Cat.

Now in her fourth year of working with sheep, Catherine, still tiny at five-feet tall, shows her sheep by hand. “They’re close to my size (laughing), and it requires good strength,” said Cat.

At her last show of the season, back in October, at Franklin, Cat and her six sheep received the Junior Showmanship Award for the entire state. Her next show is set for the end of June.

“I’ve gotten a lot of help from family and friends, especially from Amy Johnson and her family. Steve Edwards, the Extension Agent II and co-director with the Campbell County – UT Extension Office, has been very supportive and has helped me with sheep through his Edwards Club Lands at Speedwell,” said Catherine.

Straight A’s have been the results from late elementary school into middle school for Cat. The 13-year old seventh grader and Grams credit the life lessons from raising and caring for her sheep to her renewed focus and excellence in the classroom.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/24/2025-6AM-PHOTOS SUBMITTED)