Dare to Dream Big and Get Involved in 2025

As the clouds clear, it reveals some calmer waters

2024 was full of many ups and downs. As I begin to mention some of these things, know that my heart is for all people, not against any, with that, my heart is for truth and not deception on any level. Not to say that 2024 was anything like the worldwide hysteria caused by Covid, but there were some resemblances. We dealt with cultural shifts to allow opposite genders to compete in sports arenas, the presidential election, and the devastation of Hurricane Helene in the southeast which some are still trying to rebuild from. There was a lot that happened if we think about it, but despite these things, we can identify that humans are designed robustly with the ability to unite and adapt rather well.

There are more and more people that realize the anxiety we've experienced over the past recent years and in response, people are desiring to reduce dependence on the conveniences that culture is ever pushing on us. I recall my grandparents that grew their own food into their 70's. I think of community gardens still being a somewhat common thing in Europe. What was their motive to do this? I wish I could have that talk with them at this point in my life, but as many of us know, we don't think those thoughts in our 20's. I know my grandfather farmed as a child and served in WW2, but I wonder if there was something more to it? Was he able to see that there is an inherent weakness when we depend on someone or something else? Trusting in Big-Ag or Big Box stores? In Europe, I think their motive is because they had a massive war on their land which disabled their dependence and increased their inter-dependence on themselves and their neighbors.

As time progresses, I wonder why our culture seems to regress. We continue to have public agencies with the mission statements of food safety, yet they believe that safe food is created in a lab and not the from the Earth. Or trading real, organic, interpersonal relationships for virtual ones. I recently saw an article about people seeking companionship through AI robots!! Is there not a point where our culture will wake up?!?! It's as if we are hell bent on racing to the edge of what's real only to fall off into oblivion. As I mentioned, there are some of us who realize this and are taking steps to accept the gifts from God that provide sustainability through what He provided (the Earth) and the creatures He has given us to steward.

It is these people that I want to become closer to and encourage each reader to do the same. I recently participated in my first farmer's market. I've visited before and try to support local providers / stewards by buying their products, but this was my first experience as a vendor myself. To be clear, I'm not "selling" anything because of our "private" status, but I can take advantage of using a greater platform to get the message out that disconnecting from bureaucratic over regulation is an option. It is strange to most of us, because we have grown up in an over-regulated culture, in my not so humble opinion.

It was impressive to see these stewards arriving early to the market! Backing in their vehicles packed with product and presentation, toting heavy coolers, tables, pricing boards, and then setting it all up in a way to try and appeal to each visitor to consider purchasing their products over the sub-par product you can find at wal-mart, that is called the same thing, but I can and they can assure it's not! These people care about their products and they care about people. Whether a fellow vendor or a customer, their hearts show through. What you can get a farmer's market is to meet the person that put in the labor to plant, harvest, bake, tincture, knit, etc... You get what I mean. There is little more gratifying than meeting the person that labors over the products they believe in and have put there efforts towards. In return, there is little more gratifying for a vendor to see a customer (or member in our case) that appreciates the realness of our efforts showcased through our products. This is every entrepreneurs dream, but these are entrepreneurs of God given resources, thereby stewards of God given resources.

This movement excites me. During this time of recovering from the discouragement that many of us have felt due to the direction(s) that most of our culture has taken and will continue to take, be encouraged that there are some of us that choose to see differently. It is with these people I encourage you to align with and support. Not just because they are and will be the most resilient when a catastrophe hits, but because they have (for the most part) chosen a lifestyle of stewardship of God's resources, whether they realize it comes from Him or not.

Farm News is at the bottom!

Ways to get involved:

Polk County Winter's Market

1st & 3rd Saturdays of April 10am-1pm

Iron Key Brewery (behind)

135 Locust St. Columbus, NC 28722

Saluda Spring Pop-up Market

March 29th only 10am-2pm

McCreery Park

73 Greenville St. Saluda, NC 28773

Columbus Farmers Market

May- October

Saturdays 8am-12

Courthouse St. Columbus, NC 28722

Saluda Tailgate Market

May- October

Fridays 4pm-6pm

214 East Main St. Saluda, NC 28773

Farm News

We will have pastured, organically fed chicken available at the beginning of April. If you'd like cuts, please let me know!

Due to member's interest, we will be offering Pastured Heritage bred turkeys for Thanksgiving. Pre-order is required!

There is an apparent craze for Cornish Cross chickens, which is not surprising. We will continue to offer heritage chickens as an alternative. Please contact me for more information.

I will be at each of the events listed above. I will probably alternate between the 2 depending on response. I will utilize these locations as drop off points for those members who would prefer to pick-up from one of those locations.

As always, we appreciate your time in reading, your support, and your prayers.

Your local steward of resources and relationships,

Gordon and Elizabeth