“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.”
Sadly, for many farmers that quote from President John F. Kennedy is far too accurate. Fortunately, for both farmers and those who benefit from them—which would be every one of us—organizations such at the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association exists. The CFSA is a nonprofit group that advocates for fair farm and food policies, educates communities about local and organic agriculture, and generally helps family farms where possible.
Farmers Jamie DeMent and Richard Holcomb are also the owners of Piedmont restaurant in Durham. They know well the value of organizations such as CFSA. So Piedmont is hosting a spring dinner Thursday, April 16, that benefits CFSA. The $45 four-course menu features local foods from many CFSA members and supporters. Among the ingredients included will be heritage breed pastured pork and greens from Coon Rock Farm, spring vegetables from Four Leaf Farms and Root Down Farm, cheeses from Chapel Hill Creamery, foraged mushrooms from Woodfruit, breads from La Farm Bakery using N.C. grain. For an extra $20, pairings from Ponysaurus Brewing, Mystery Brewing and Fullsteam Brewery will be available.
While dining, you will have the opportunity to chat with local growers and producers and CFSA leaders.
You can get an even bigger taste of the farming life April 25–26 when the Piedmont Farm Tour takes place. Coon Rock Farm, owned by DeMent and Holcomb, is one of the roughly three-dozen farms welcoming visitors that weekend.
The spring dinner is Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Piedmont Restaurant, 401-B2 Foster St., Durham, 919-683-1213, www.piedmontrestaurant.com. Reservations are required.
The Piedmont Farm Tour is April 25–26, 2–6 p.m. both days. Visit www.carolinafarmstewards.org/pft for details and map.
