A Farm Conversation that Led to a Place at the Table
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Jim Sanders, farmer from Wildflower Lane Farm in NC, had an idea about growing vegetables and finding a distribution partner for those vegetables. In my podcast interview with Jim (podcast episode 54), he told the story about walking into the office of a non profit called TABLE and proposing his idea to the women in the office. What struck me about that story was the fact that those women listened and took action immediately. They were open to Jim’s idea and took him up on his offer to visit his farm, invest some funds, and take the risk that this could lead to a great opportunity for the people their non profit serves.
In 2006, Joy MacVane began leaving homemade cookies on the sidewalk of her downtown Chapel Hill home for UNC-CH students walking to campus. A year later, she began leaving notes by the goodies inviting students to stop by her house to bake desserts for the nearby soup kitchen. A dozen students showed up to make and deliver cakes. They discussed how much they enjoyed serving at the homeless shelter, expressed interest in local community service and identified hungry kids as a special priority. MacVane shared that concern and learned that there were no weekly food assistance services specifically for children at that time in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. In late 2007, she and several of those original students incorporated Table Ministries, Inc., now known as TABLE.
Since its start in 2008, TABLE has offered “a place at the TABLE” to increasing numbers of local children. Thanks to generous donations of food, funds, and time by campus and community supporters, TABLE has quickly grown. And now, thanks to Jim’s idea, TABLE Is able to serve fresh, local healthy vegetables and fruits to local children.
I wanted to speak to the woman, the decision maker, who listened to Jim’s idea on that day when he casually walked into the office and was open to exploring the opportunity with him. Ashton Tippins, was that woman! Enjoy my conversation with Ashton Tippins.
Join us for an exciting 'm/cocktail hour' for chocolate lovers at Berkshire Farm Sanctuary! Start with a chocolate mocktail & some delicious charcuterie. Experience how chocolate is made from bean to bar. Savor the tastes of real chocolate from around the world and depart with some of your favorite chocolate bars. All proceeds support the rescued farm animals! Register @ Berkshire Farm Sanctuary.
Grounded in Maine Podcast hosted by Amy Fagan is an open conversation about being mindful about how we show up for the world. Amy is passionate about learning how we can be sustainable in all aspects of life.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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