Carolina Tour: Chatham County, Part Three

Harland's Creek Farm

Our last stop in Chatham County was at Harland's Creek Farm, a CSA operated by Judy Lessler (www.harlands-creek-farm.com) near Pittsboro, NC. Judy has a wealth of experience in leading the organization of several area CSA networks, which are closely connected to the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFS--www.carolinafarmstewards.org), the Carolinas' leading advocacy/organizing group for alternative agriculture. Judy, who is on CFSA's Board, raises chickens, organic produce and organic fresh-cut flowers on a 5 acre farm.

In meeting Judy, P'Nok had the opportunity to learn more about CSA's from a highly-disciplined farmer and well-respected businesswoman in the area. One highlight of the exchange was Judy's practice of providing "value-added" recipes and shopping lists when delivering to customers. Judy also gave P'Nok an example of a cookbook that Judy's CSA's provides to its urban customers (who have lost the art of eating seasonally). 

In the end, we learned that Obama '08 is on Judy's mind.

Chatham County was a good (albeit long) day. We returned to Spartanburg in the late evening and began preparing for P'Nok's day at Wofford College classes and her first big speaking event.