In the heart of Mecklenburg County, NC, something extraordinary is growing — beyond vegetables and herbs. It’s a grassroots network of farmers, grounded in mutual aid, shared wisdom, and collective power. What began as a simple desire to connect has blossomed into a living, breathing coalition of growers who are transforming the way we think about food systems, policy, and collaboration.
The seeds of the Growers Network were planted when Cherie and Wisdom Jzar, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo and first-generation farmers, noticed a glaring disconnect. While agencies existed to support agriculture, much of the critical, experience-based knowledge they needed wasn’t readily accessible. “We saw plans for farmland preservation happening without actual farmers at the table,” they shared. “We thought — this makes no sense.”
So they did what many great changemakers do: they gathered community. They began reaching out to local growers, inviting them to meet monthly to share resources, talk strategy, and simply connect. No rigid structure, no fancy titles — just consistent space to build trust, exchange wisdom, and uplift one another.
Now, three years in, the Growers Network is thriving. Without a formal nonprofit structure, it is stewarded by the founders through Deep Roots CPS Farm — a humble but powerful example of what happens when communities take ownership of their futures. The network communicates through WhatsApp, email, and even a growing Facebook group. It organizes workshops, curates resources, and continues to foster genuine relationships among growers.
“It’s like showing up to a social event,” one founder shared. “You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll walk away with — a new supplier, a used tiller, or someone to split an order of sweet potato slips with.”
And it’s working. Growers who once lacked access to critical programs are now embedded in local committees and shaping policies from the inside. They’re securing cost-share assistance through Soil & Water, building relationships with the Farm Service Agency, and ensuring their voices are heard in local food system conversations.
But perhaps the most impressive thing? The Growers Network is equipping farmers with the tools to scale. From GAP certification workshops to digital marketing and labor solutions through the NC Department of Commerce, the network is helping farmers do more than grow food — it’s helping them grow thriving businesses.
“What we’re doing now is more intentional,” Cherie said. “We started this year asking: what are your biggest challenges? The answer was clear: labor, market access, and revenue loss due to federal cuts. So we responded. We brought in experts. We created opportunities to connect the dots.”
This is what mutual aid looks like in action. It’s not charity. It’s not transactional. It’s transformational. It’s about building power together, learning from each other, and never farming in isolation again.
As this network continues to evolve, it serves as a powerful model for other regions. The blueprint is simple but profound: listen, gather, share, and grow — together.
Cherie often reflects on how the business side of farming — rather than production knowledge — often causes farmers to quit, especially in gentrifying cities like Charlotte, NC, where land access is difficult. While many farmers in their network already own land, others struggle to find or lease land to start farming. Programs like the Mecklenburg County Farmland Preservation Plan and partnerships with the Conservation Fund offer promise but are often inaccessible to new farmers without an established business, a formal business plan, and at least three years of operation.
From Backyard Gardens to Thriving Farms
Many members of the Grower’s Network begin their journey as backyard growers or on small community plots. While these early steps are filled with enthusiasm and dedication, scaling up to larger, sustainable farming remains a challenge. Cherie acknowledges that the network has yet to fully explore this transition but hopes to support growers along that path in the future.
A Culture of Mutual Aid and Support
Mutual aid flows naturally within the network. Whether it’s promoting a fellow farmer’s event, purchasing surplus crops to prevent waste, sharing equipment, or lending hands during tough times, growers support one another in practical, meaningful ways. This spirit of community is essential to helping members weather unexpected challenges and emergencies.
Measuring Success and Looking Ahead
Rather than focusing solely on production metrics, the Grower’s Network measures success through engagement — attendance at meetings and events, and overall member involvement. Cherie and her team also provide personalized support, such as crop planning and farm development assistance, helping growers navigate the complexities of agriculture with confidence.
Looking forward, Cherie envisions a thriving agricultural community where success is defined individually by farmers — whether it’s providing therapeutic services, cultivating specialty crops, or simply sustaining their family’s livelihood. She hopes the network will grow to raise awareness of these diverse contributions within the wider community.
Rooted in Community, Growing Toward the Future
The Growers Network is more than a collection of farmers — it’s a living demonstration of what’s possible when people come together with purpose and care. From backyard gardens to budding farm businesses, its members are rewriting the story of what agriculture can look like in cities like Charlotte: cooperative, resilient, and deeply rooted in community.
Rather than waiting for top-down solutions, these growers are building their own — guided by shared wisdom, mutual support, and a belief that no one should farm alone. Their success reminds us that sustainable food systems are not just about land or funding — they’re about relationships, trust, and collective action.
As the network grows, it offers a clear message: when we listen to growers, invest in connection, and honor lived experience, we plant the seeds for something far greater than crops. We cultivate liberation, joy, and the future of food together.
1 Farmland Preservation Plan for Mecklenburg County. (n.d.). https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/vad/county-info/MecklenburgFPP/open
2 Cost share and financial assistance for agriculture | Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District. (n.d.-a). https://conserve.mecknc.gov/Resources/Agriculture-Financial-Assistance