11-acres of unused farmland in the Charlotte suburb of Fairview is being leased and turned into a new sustainable farm for the surrounding community. Nebedaye Farms, Serendipity Flowers, and Crown Town Compost are partnering with Carolina Farm Trust to make the farm a reality in order to promote a “circular economy” concept in the Charlotte region. 

The idea behind the “circular economy” is to eliminate waste from the food system continuously. Nebedaye and Serendipity will grow produce and flowers on the farm with the food waste that Crown Town collects throughout the city and turns into compost. The farm aims to have Charlotte’s waste recycled back into the soil to help grow products that will be available to the community, creating a cycle of food.

“We are creating this farm to strengthen our community–to create a cycle in which people in our area can both give to and receive from the farm,” says Zack Wyatt, founder and executive director of the Carolina Farm Trust. “We are striving to promote our economy. Uniting local businesses to use resources from our community and to provide something valuable in return is our ultimate goal.” 

The farm, with its produce and flower stands, is projected to open to the public in spring 2020. In addition to a variety of seasonal flowers, the farm’s crops will include berries, vegetables, and moringa, a fast-growing tree with medicinal properties. 

At the end of the ten-year lease, Carolina Farm Trust — who is subleasing to Crown Town, Serendipity, and Nabedaye — plan on buying the land after the farm has become well-established. “Getting the community involved here is key,” says Wyatt. “If we can do that, this farm can really contribute to creating a sustainable food system in the Charlotte area.” Carolina Farm Trust welcomes all to come and visit the farm, contribute food waste, and buy produce and flowers to help solidify the farm’s place in the Charlotte area community.

Carolina Farm Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support small, community farmers in the Carolinas and, in return, promote the farm-to-table movement, especially in Charlotte.  — Travis Mullis

 

Unpretentious People Say...

Other Articles You Might Enjoy