Ronald Edwards oral history interview, 2019 March 11
Description
Ronald Edwards, the general manager of Springs Farm in Fort Mill, South Carolina, reflects on the history of the farm and his personal farming experiences. Mr. Edwards discusses the origins and legacy of the farm, the size of the operation, and the businesses that comprise Springs Farms, which include its farmers market, retail store, and growing fields. He details the food that they produce, including the Carolina Reaper peppers, peaches, strawberries, and various vegetables, and he examines challenges that the farm has faced such as the current rainy weather conditions. Mr. Edwards also discusses the interaction between the farm and the local community, and how certain crops like the Carolina Reaper are certified organic while others are not, due to the importance of keeping costs down while competing with larger corporate farms. Mr. Edwards' descriptions and accounts clearly illustrate the challenges faced by farmers in the region during an era of change, encompassing organic strategies and competition from corporate farming.
