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Rickie B. Parker, 62 years old at the time of the interview, discusses his lifelong connection to gardening in Albemarle, North Carolina. Parker began gardening at age seven, learning from his mother, Kizzy Parker, who passed away in 1988. He has kept his own garden going for over twenty years on land owned by his … Read more

Philip Taylor, born in 1944, discusses his life and farming experiences in Burke County, North Carolina. He recalls a time without electricity and running water, raising milk cows, and using horses for farming. Taylor’s family raised and canned their own food to provide for their 18-person family. He describes the transition from horse-drawn farming to … Read more

George McAllister was 66 years old at the time of the interview, which took place at the Atkins Library at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He is the former president of the Mecklenburg Beekeepers Association and his family has a long history with beekeeping from the 19th century, in addition to having extensive … Read more

Cherie Jzar is Co-founder and President of Deep Roots CPS (Community Planning Solutions) Farm in Charlotte, NC. Born in Savannah, GA Cherie and her husband Wisdom began homesteading to ensure that they lived and modeled their values for their children and community. They were inspired to farm by their desire to further commit to their … Read more

Tim Turton of Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation discusses his participation with Mecklenburg County Community Gardens. He tells us about the functionality of the county’s community garden system. He elaborates on what goes on in the garden spaces and how the participants use the garden. He also talks about the technicalities of the community gardens.

Robb Thorstenson owns Wise Acres Organic Farm in Indian Trail, NC with his wife Cathy. Robb was working in Chicago as a trader in tech stocks and energy futures, which he found increasingly isolating and unfulfilling. He left the finance field to become a farmer as a way to combine his love for the outdoors … Read more

Jack Abernathy, a native of Connelly Springs, North Carolina shares his long journey with farming and gardening. He shares his experiences from growing up with his father’s moonshining business, his early love for farming developed by his grandfather and the evolution of agricultural practices from the 1940s to present day. He delves into topics such … Read more

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