Oral Histories of the Piedmont Foodshed.
Erin Culver began farming in raised beds in Rock Hill, SC; and moved to grow her farming effort in 2020 to York, SC. During the move, she began to share tutorials and educate others in order to promote urban farming through YouTube. Within this interview, Erin elaborated upon an abundance of both personal experience and … Read more
Brett Tempest was 46 years old at the time of the interview, which took place at the Atkins Library at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. A professor at UNC Charlotte and a beekeeper, he later refined his beekeeping skills through the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association. Brett shared his experiences as a certified beekeeper … Read more
Cissy Shull discusses her participation of almost 35 years with Charlotte Green. She informs the listeners on the operations of Charlotte Green. She explains who uses their space and how the space is used. She talks about the impact of Charlotte Green on the community. She also reflects on her time gardening and working with … Read more
Rita Mace grew up in Connelly Springs, North Carolina on a family farm. Situated in Burke County, this small yet reputable farm has had an impact in its community. As the granddaughter of the owners of the farm, Rita grew up surrounded by fields of wheat and corn, cows, pigs and chickens and a table … Read more
Mario Gonzalez has been gardening and growing his own produce and even medicine for over 25 years. Mario grows everything at home in his own garden and property, which includes his own small orchard. Mario was extremely worried by the chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers being used on foods here in America after he immigrated, so … Read more
Katherine “Peanut” Belk, who oversees Business Operations at Wild Hope Farm in Chester, SC, describes her experience converting the family property into a working farm. Peanut grew up in Charlotte, one of five children of Sarah and Tim Belk, the former CEO of Belk department stores. Wild Hope Farm is an organic, regenerative farm that … Read more
Justin Orders was 32 years old at the time of the interview, which took place at Queen’s Orders Honey Apiary in Huntersville, North Carolina. A student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he later honed his beekeeping skills at the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association. Justin delved into his experiences as a certified beekeeper in Charlotte, … Read more
Justin Miller began farming in 2011, when his uncle passed away and left the Miller family’s fifth-generation cattle farm to be bought by Justin and his wife, Holly. In this interview, Justin elaborates on their experience as farmers growing diverse produce, their first difficult years of growth, and their eventual collaboration and moving on from … Read more
Curtis Furr, a fifth-generation Albemarle, North Carolina farmer, discussed his background and farming practices. Furr grows white corn for cornmeal, yellow corn for feed, and soybeans for seed, earning his income with cotton. He faces challenges like urban development and wildlife damage. Furr emphasized the importance of conservation programs and advised new farmers to start … Read more
Janice Fine runs Seven Sisters Farm with husband Michael Fine, raising several children on the farm while doing so. The family moved from MD in 2012, initially borrowing land and eventually accessing their current property of roughly 25 acres. Janice reflects within this interview on their various learning curves and hardships throughout the development of … Read more