Southern Appalachia has a long cultural history of community growers and food insecurity in tandem. In fact, Appalachia has a higher average of food insecure individuals than the national average. Food costs and many other factors lead community members to grow their own food, or connect with neighborhood growers. As the start of autumn rolls in, mindsets in the garden shift from abundance to preservation.
At the start of the new season, it is time to look ahead and prepare for colder months. In southern Appalachia, October is the season for slowing down. Set up hoops for frost protection, plant garlic & shallots, sow cover crops such as rye and winter peas, and harvest sweet potatoes. October is also a great time to plan for next year. Consider what you intend to plant when setting up cover crops and amending soils. Finally, October is a great time to get your soil tested through the NC Ag Extension office for FREE.
In Leicester, Jasperwood Farm is a 6th generation family farm. Thinking back on an impoverished Appalachia not so different from today, farmer Anthony Cole is motivated to make a change by a love for his community and the belief that all deserve equitable access to food. For this reason, the farm focuses on winter and root crops that provide food security into the colder months. In addition to the farms production of cabbage, sunchokes, winter squash, pumpkins, turnips, and potatoes, they also tend to and harvest wool. In addition to a working farm, the 200+ acre land has now been put into a Conservation Easement further protecting its cultural farmland heritage.
Recently at Jasperwood Farm, the Farmers Alliance program teamed up with Jasperwood volunteers to harvest over 1,500 pounds of potatoes and plant over 2000 cabbage plants. These crops promise long shelf lives and help bring freshness and nutrition throughout the winter season. Tune in later in the winter when the team returns to harvest this promising cabbage crop. Other upcoming harvests at Jasperwood Farm include pumpkins and winter squashes.
To get more involved with farm volunteer days, check out our website!