History + RCF in the News

Can you tell us about the history / formation of your garden?

“In 2008, a group of folks in the Fairview community noticed that the Fairview Food Pantry had a gap in the availability of fresh produce. This is common for food pantries who often rely on donations from big box stores. This group of folks wanted to change that, so they began to brainstorm ways to provide fresh produce to this community. In 2009, this project began on a ½ acre of borrowed land growing fresh, organically grown produce for donation to food pantries, community lunches, share markets, and job training and wellness programs that reach marginalized communities throughout the Asheville area. We now grow an average of 10 tons of organic produce on one acre each year for various community partners and focus our attention on being a community solution to hunger. Originally, the farm started as The Lord’s Acre, which paid homage to an initiative in this region in the 1930s where farmers and gardeners shared up to one acre of what they grew with their local church, which then distributed it to those experiencing food insecurity. We held this name for 10 years until 2019 when our board and staff realized our name should reflect our values of ensuring all folks feel safe, welcomed, and emboldened to radical honesty and resilient community building.”

-Ali Stone, former Programs Manager, as part of the “Growing Community Series” from Sow True Seeds circa 2020.