The Art of Community Agriculture Gathering on 11/4
Posted on 10/03/18
A view from the trees: Les III working on an illustration in black walnut ink of the farmhouse at Heartstrong Farm.
STALEY, NC - Just over the Chatham county line into Randolph, a beginning small-scale diversified young farm averaged over 2,000lbs of produce for 38 households during the 2018 growing season. The young operation, Heartstrong Farm, received significant assistance as one of the Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)’s 2018 grant recipients. Heartstrong Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown operation and is one of the 26 Agricultural Reinvestment Fund grantees for the 2018 cycle. Heartstrong’s grant support includes infrastructural improvements to its seasonal operation. Projects include produce packing upgrades, greenhouse updates, development of a farm stand and incorporates a community-based marketing element. On Sunday, November 4th from 2 - 6 p.m. the public is invited to visit the farm for a community celebration of the grant funded improvements.
This event is free. Registration is required. For more information and to register please visit, growheartstrong.eventbrite.com. To learn more about Heartstrong Farm, visit growheartstrong.com.
Heartstrong Farm operates through a business model known as “community supported agriculture” (CSA). In a CSA, members commit to investing in a share of the harvest ahead of the season start. This relationship enables the farmer to purchase seeds and growing inputs to get the season growing strong, while also providing the confidence of members’ commitment to support the farm through nature’s ups and downs. Inspired by this ethos of community support and collaboration, Heartstrong Farm and regional artist Les III have been working on a collaborative art project that has drawn along with the growing season. Over the course of the main season, Les III rendered various scenes of the farm in North Carolina-made black walnut ink using old school ink pens and nibs. His whimsically beautiful illustrations showcase the heart-strong dance of the farm --including the farmhouse, greenhouse, pack area, fields, and farmers market, all of which are essential elements of the farm's lovingly chaotic ecological ensemble. Now, as the season draws to a close, the community is invited to the farm for a tour showcasing the infrastructural updates, and an art exhibition and artist's talk on Les III's original illustrations. Here’s to agriculture and the arts, both supporting each other in the community.
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ABOUT:
Heartstrong Farm is a small-scale farm operation on leased land of a 16-acre historical farmland property in Staley, North Carolina found through NC Farm Link. They grow on just under one acre, using organic non-GMO seed and regenerative practices, including cover cropping, crop rotations, minimal tillage, building soil through the addition of organic matter, encouraging biodiversity, and use of certified organic inputs. We are proud to be Certified Naturally Grown, providing a natural and wholesome source of food, flowers, and herbs for our community.
Les Caison III is an award-winning North Carolina artist from Greensboro, with a BFA in Studio Art from Appalachian State University. Les III is a 2018 Regional Artist Project Grant recipient, which is funded by the N.C. Arts Council. For more information about Les III and his work, visit Lesiii.com.
