Xander Marciniak

Ernestine Littlejohn, who moved from Connecticut to the Carolinas, was inspired to start farming by her mother’s gardening in North Carolina. After her mother’s passing, she began farming to honor her memory. Using raised beds and compost, she grew Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, bell peppers, ginger, and white potatoes. Challenges included overcrowding and unexpected frost. … Read more

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