As part of Come to the Table’s (CTTT) empowering faith communities through collaboration, the Farm and Faith Partnerships Project (FFPP) works against injustices in the food system that harm farmers of color and rural communities by creating mutually-beneficial and self-sustaining economic partnerships between farmers of color and faith groups in their communities.
In Spring 2021, RAFI-USA launched the Wake County CSA, our first pilot project. Fast forward to this past May, and Wake County is entering its eighth season. As a celebration of partnership and community, Wake County held its fifth Blessing of the Land gathering at Brown Family Farm. Usually at the beginning of the season, the Blessing of the Land is a chance for shareholders, farmers, and community members to gather on the farmer’s land and bless it for the coming season.
As a fourth generation farmer, Patrick Brown began farming on the estate with the retirement of his father, Arthur, in 2003. In 2018, he began harvesting and producing hemp extracts, and in 2019 he created his own line of hemp extracted products which birthed what is now known as Hempfinity. Elizabeth Kearse of St. Francis of Assissi Catholic Church was able to share the impact this CSA has had on her family’s lives. Each partner congregation is led by a church coordinator who serves as the connection between the faith community and the farmer. Located in southeast Warren County, NC in the Hecks Grove Community, the farm was established in 1865 by first generation farmer Byron Brown. Byron was the first generation farmer who grew timber and raised livestock until his death in 1931. As a founding figure of the Wake County CSA, Gary Smith of Community UCC has been part of each Blessing of the Land ceremony. Alongside each church coordinator, his time, effort, and energy have helped sustain this partnership. CSAs are all about community and relationships, and Wake County is no exception. Coordinating produce offerings, drop-off logistics, sign-ups, and pick-ups requires consistent communication. Pictured here, from left to right, are Jaimie McGirt (RAFI-USA), Peter van Dorsten (Umstead Park UCC), Gary Smith (Community UCC), and farmer Carolyn Cheek (JAC Farms). Steve McCalla is another farmer in the Wake County CSA. Steve, along with his partner Elke, run Rocky Ridge Farm and were the host to the first Blessing of the Land event.
