Spring has always felt like a season of possibility. The days get longer, the soil begins to warm, and all around us, there are signs of new growth. It feels like the perfect time to talk about putting down roots, both in the agricultural sense and in our own lives. For me, those roots run deep here in southeastern North Carolina. My family has lived in the Cape Fear region for many generations, and for most of that time, farming wasn’t a hobby or a fun way of life, it was just how people survived. 

Both of my dad’s parents grew up on farms in Pender County. At the time, their goal was actually to leave farming behind and pursue something different, which wasn’t uncommon as small-scale farming became less reliable with the increase in industrialized agricultural operations. On my mama’s side, my grandfather’s family has been farming in this region for centuries, so it’s pretty cool to know my roots are quite literally in the soil here. Then there’s my grandmother, who arguably has the biggest green thumb of them all. While she didn’t grow up on a commercial farm, her family kept a large home garden, and her father was an excellent beekeeper. One of my favorite photos of my great-grandfather shows him standing on the roof of his Cadillac, dressed in his Easter Sunday best, catching a swarm of bees - no suit, no gloves, just a calm confidence and a love for the bees. I like to think I carry some of each of them with me in my life today. 

By the time my parents came along, the family had largely stepped away from farming as a livelihood, but the stories never went away. My dad spent plenty of time at his grandparents’ farms helping with chicken houses and tobacco fields, and he was always quick to remind me how hard that work was. Growing up, there was always the ever-present threat that if I didn’t act right, I might find myself working in those tobacco fields. Thankfully, I never had to test that theory. My mama, meanwhile, inherited my grandmother’s green thumb, and can reliably be found in her garden or sitting with her chickens on sunny days. 

So, with all of that history, it now comes down to me. I left home for college and earned a finance degree, fully convinced my future involved corporate offices, fancy clothes, and jetsetting to far away places for business meetings. Well, that was true, for a bit! I spent several years working in banking, but life had other plans for me. In early 2023, our former Board Chair, Caitlin Osgood, reached out and asked if I’d consider joining the board. At the time, I’d never even heard of Feast Down East, but as soon as I learned about its mission - supporting farmers and expanding access to fresh, locally grown food - I knew it was a perfect fit. Between my family’s history with farming and my passion for building a stronger local food system, I was hooked. Before long, I stepped away from banking and shifted my dreams toward building a farm with my husband, who I fittingly met in one of my cousin’s fields when we were children. I’m telling you, the roots run deep, y’all. 

Now, a few years later, I’m in my second term with Feast Down East and have the tremendous honor of serving as Board Chair. Through this work, I’ve had the privilege of spending time with nearly everyone on our team, and I can say without hesitation that they are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people I’ve ever met. Honestly, it’s hard not to want to just sit with them and soak up everything they know. 

These days, I can’t help but reflect and think about how life comes full circle - my grandparents worked hard to move beyond farming so their families could pursue new opportunities, and here I am generations later, wanting nothing more than to reconnect with the land. I still have a long way to go on my own farming journey, but having the knowledge and support of the Feast Down East community makes that path feel a little less daunting, and a whole lot more exciting. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Feast Down East, so it feels fitting to reflect on roots - both old and new. Whether your family has been here for generations or you’re just beginning to put down roots in our community, there’s a place for you in the Feast Down East story. Our work depends on the support of people who believe in the value of local farmers and ensuring fresh, nourishing food is accessible to all. If you’re able, I hope you’ll consider celebrating this milestone with us by making a donation and continuing to grow alongside our community. After all, when we invest in the soil beneath us, we all share in the harvest.