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Barbecue fund-raiser
McAdenville Elementary School will host its annual Kyle Fletcher’s barbecue sale, Sept. 25.
The event is 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the McAdenville Community Center, and the cost is $7 per plate. Money from this fund-raiser will help buy teaching supplies and materials.
For more information, call the school at (704)824-2236.
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Farm Day comes to Mount Holly
By THOMAS LARK
- Thu, Jun 12, 2008
MOUNT HOLLY—Conserving land for future generations is a big concern for local farmers.
And this worthy idea was the focus of Farm Day, held Saturday at the Mount Holly Farmers Market.
Leigh Brinkley of Mount Holly is among the chief organizers making the market possible. She said Farm Day’s purpose was to spotlight four conserved farms in the Mount Holly area: the Rhyne Farm; Richard Rankin’s Rankin Farm; Haywood Rankin’s Redlair; and lands owned by Dr. Charles Meakin and wife Lindsay. All had displays, including many maps and pictures, histories and information about their efforts.
“These owners have been on the forefront of conservation in our area,” said Brinkley. “We are working hard to get these farms photographed, using our local photographers as well. It’s very exciting.”
She added that the Rhyne Farm was founded by Thomas Rhyne in 1799.
“It’s one of only about 200 bicentennial farms in America,” Brinkley explained, talking about how rare it is to find farming operations that have remained within the same family for so many generations.
Richard Rankin talked about his farm, situated between Mount Holly and Stanley and dating to 1762. He also spoke of his late father, Dr. Richard Rankin Sr. When the good doctor wasn’t helping Mount Holly folks get better, he worked on his farm.
“We’re not actively farming it now,” the younger Rankin said. “But we’re conserving the land, which is about 85 acres. Hopefully, my family will continue to live on it.”
And with help from his neighbors, Rankin has helped preserve more than 1,000 acres for posterity.
Meakin, an oncologist at Gaston Memorial Hospital who heads up its cancer center, has preserved 68 acres along the South Fork River.
“In our hearts, we all know that keeping green space is the right thing to do,” he said, “and I’ve come across some of the finest people who have the long view on preserving our quality of life.”
Meakin cited family members who enjoy dogs, horses, biking and more on his land, sharing a back-to-nature ethos.
“The more that our modern society gets away from that idea, the worse off we are,” he emphasized.
Land conservation has its real perks, Meakin noted. Among them are property tax breaks and improved personal health.
“I study a wide variety of cancers,” he said, “and I’m convinced that many of them are environmentally related. It’s so vitally important, for just one example, that we keep on ensuring we have clean water for our future.”
Also on hand at the event were representatives of the Catawba Lands Conservancy, the Carolina Thread Trail, the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation and the Friends of the Greenway or FROGS.
Master gardener volunteer Suzanne Griffin had more than just pretty flowers. Griffin’s display area was filled with garlic, gourds, beets and Swiss chard.
Among those checking out all the farmers market had to offer were Laura Magennis of Mount Holly and Logan Nixon, her 11-year-old son.
“I think the farmers market is great,” said Magennis. “It’s just getting everybody together in our downtown community. I love being here and having such great things to buy.”
Brinkley said upcoming events at the Mount Holly Farmers Market include:
•this Saturday’s music with the B Naturals.
•June 21, Bee and Honey Day, with four local specialty vendors and fresh honey, creamed honey, demonstration hives, recipes and tastings.
•June 28, Peach Day, celebrating all things peachy.
The Mount Holly Farmers Market’s hours are Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon. It’s located at 130 S. Main St., beside City Café in downtown Mount Holly.
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