Local Farm Spotlight: Sadie Jo Farm

In the fall of 2020, Sarah Collins and Jerry Miller moved with their son, Jonathan, from Asheville to Forest City to realize their dream of owning a home and starting a farm. Just under three acres, Sadie Jo Farm is opening its fifth season of growing vegetables and flowers from the spring through the fall. Though they are 1-2 generations removed from growing up and working on a farm, their skills and knowledge are mostly self-taught as beginner farmers. Sarah started her first garden in 2006 with a little bit of direction from her grandmother, who grew up on a South Carolina tobacco farm. But, eventually, regular pesticide spraying at their apartment complex prohibited Sarah and Jerry from growing food for more than 10 years. This restriction only fueled their desire more for green space and healthy food they grow themselves.

"There's something special about growing food. About being in the dirt," Sarah says. "It has the power to nourish us in many ways. We have come to realize, that through the act of tending to the earth with the intention of growing healthy food using gentle practices, it can nourish the mind, body, spirit, and our neighbors. Farming is hard work, yes, but my mind and body relax when I'm digging in the dirt. And, it's important to my family to keep our bodies healthy with food grown using no chemicals, as well as taking care of the Earth in the same manner for the benefit of future generations. Jerry has been a chef most of his life, and from a young age, I've witnessed the power that food has to bring people together and create community. Yet, we're aware of the food insecurity issues that so many face. So, when we grow food, we try to grow enough to share with our neighbors and larger community. When we take care of the Earth, it takes care of us and our neighbors."

Sarah and Jerry are among the 32% of North Carolina farmers and 33% of US farmers who are beginning farmers (those with less than 10 years of experience); and among the 83.5% of North Carolina farms and 90% of US farms that are owned and operated by families.