Annual Growers Meeting

 Kale sprouting in the greenhouse at Cooperative Extension

Despite the freezing temps and snowy ground, we held our Annual Growers Meeting on Tuesday -- I like to think of the meeting as more even more exciting than selecting seeds from the Johnny's catalog.  I look forward to this meeting after months of dreary weather and dwindling fresh, local produce.  Our organization's energy for the meeting is often matched by that of veteran and new growers from around the county who are looking for ways to continue and improve their farming operations through wholesale venues.

More than 40 farmers attended, eating a wonderful local meal including food from five different farms (cooked by Dewain Mackey via funding from Tobacco Trust Fund Commission).  In exchange for their full bellies, we asked for information from them, ranging from their farm history to crops currently planned for 2010.  Now, we gather all of this data as we plan out crop quantities, varieties and the (hopeful) schedule of produce availabilities.  After plenty of brainstorming among Madison Farms folks, we offer information back to farmers.  Would you be interested in growing more Yukon Gold potatoes?  How about doing an early crop of collard greens for Mission Hospital?  There are so many factors on both the production and purchasing ends of this situation, but we end up with a successful year with plenty (and I mean, plenty) of open, transparent communication.

So, here it begins.  I could probably produce a flow chart of communication lines for you, but you can use your imagination: we call farmers, farmers calls us back, we call farmers, farmers call Johnny's Seeds, farmers call us, we call Greenlife Grocery [repeat until late October].  Sometimes we e-mail, and sometimes it seems like we use ESP.

A Man Named Pearl

An exciting announcement, friends:

Madison Family Farms is helping put on An Evening with Pearl at Mars Hill College as part of their ongoing Citizenship Series and Black History Month.  Lifeworks Learning Partnership (with funding from the Ford Foundation) is screening A Man Named Pearl as well as hosting Mr. Fryar for a fabulous event.

Two minutes of your time:
A Man Named Pearl Preview

And the information you require for attending:

An Evening with Pearl Fryar at Mars Hill College

                Late in his profession as a manual laborer, Pearl Fryar began his true life’s work in his backyard.  At nighttime and on his days off from the cannery, Fryar worked tirelessly to turn his simple Bishopville, SC lawn into a fantastical world of topiary shrubs and artwork.  He has crafted a sanctuary despite what the world told him otherwise. 

A Man Named Pearl, a documentary that peeks into his plants and philosophies, will be shown at Harris Media Center on the campus of Mars Hill College, February 17, 2010 at 6 pm.  Mr. Fryar will also be at the event to share his unique perspective with the community. A Man Named Pearl offers a remarkable peek into not only Fryar’s beautiful garden, but also his beautiful spirit.  If you don’t know the story of Pearl Fryar, you are in for a treat.  If you do know his story, you are in for an incredible treat.  His is the story of rising above to create something from nothing.

                “An Evening with Pearl Fryar” is free to the public.  The event is part of the month-long celebration of Black History Month at Mars Hill College, and is made possible by funding from Lifeworks Learning Partnership, Madison Family Farms, and grant monies from the Ford Foundation.

 

Mr. Fryar with his piece de resistance!