I never had the pleasure of listening to live music while field sampling until we visited the Smiths at Saxmore Farms. This past July the Ecdysis team spent a week sampling farms in South Carolina in the thick heat of summer. Located in Dorchester, Saxmore Farms was our last farm to visit and it could not have been a better way to end the trip.
The operators of Saxmore Farms - father and son duo Peter Smith Jr. and Sr. - host a farmers market twice a month complete with a live band. Notes of music, laughter and lively voices drifted over to the field we were sampling. The joy felt among the market was contagious and also suited the personalities of the Smiths.
Peter Smith Jr., a welcoming and gregarious man with a gray curly beard, explained that Saxmore utilizes 15 acres of fruit trees and mixed vegetables including peanuts, okra, watermelon, beans, tomatoes and more. He and his father accompanied us as we began to prepare for sampling. Peter Smith Sr., a slight, older man wearing suspenders and a Veteran’s cap, was more than happy to share his stories as a grower. He has been farming in Dorchester since he was a kid in the 1950s. To this day, he plants every seed by hand.
Through listening to their stories, it became clear the Smiths are incredibly passionate not only about the food they grow, but also the impact their farm has on the community.
Peter Jr. mentioned that since childhood, there have been no community social programs located in Dorchester - folks have always had to travel to participate in social events. And now they have to travel for fresh food as well. The small farms that used to support the neighborhood for its groceries are going out of business, resulting in a lack of access to local food. The Smiths are facilitating local community programs while also improving food access in Dorchester.
In addition to farmers markets, the Smiths host agricultural camps for children to learn about where their food comes from, farm tours for seniors, and a Fourth of July barbecue going on its 30th year. Most recently, Peter Smith Jr. and Sr. have been donating fall produce to local families for Thanksgiving. They are also donating fresh vegetables and cooking meals for those affected by Hurricane Helene. These events speak to the important link between food and community as well as the importance of serving others.
Back in July, when we finished sampling, Saxmore Farms served our team a generous, delicious meal and refreshing beverages. Our team feels grateful when farmers provide us with cold waters, but this was something unexpected and extraordinary. When we expressed our gratitude to Peter Smith Jr. for his overwhelming hospitality, he told us to give him earlier notice when we visit next year - he’ll roast a pig for us!
Giving back to their community is a way of life for the Smiths and their example is one many of us can only strive for. I asked Peter Smith Jr. what he thinks makes his community special. He replied, “...in a small rural community, everyone helps each other and shares. [In Dorchester,] everyone comes together to make sure no one goes lacking. A lot of people in the community don’t have a lot but whatever they have, you have too.”
If you would like to learn more about Saxmore Farms and the Smiths, click here.