It was a beautiful Saturday morning. WIF members, friends and family gathered to meet with Zack Wyatt, CEO of Carolina Farm Trust (WIF 2021 grantee) and tour the Urban Garden located in East Charlotte adjacent to Aldersgate Retirement Community. The garden is host to beehives, fruit trees, rows of enticing vegetables, and a weekly farm stand. While impressive, this urban garden just begins to scratch the surface of the Farm Trust’s vision and plan for regional food availability and sustainability; equity in farming; food security for all; shifting power toward local growers and consumers, and rebalancing the relationship between people and the land.

What could be more critical to our existence than food? Mr. Wyatt views the sustainability and distribution of local food as critical to the region’s long-term security particularly as climate change creates challenges. He and his team started small, but through partnerships, hard work, and some random opportunity, they are growing their vision into a game-changing organization. Most recently, the Farm Trust bought a facility northwest of Charlotte that will be a local food processing and distribution center. There are exciting plans for the development of this facility.

Members enjoyed the in-person at this outdoor event. In a nod to the East Charlotte neighborhood, delicious pastries from Manolo’s Bakery were available. Mr. Wyatt toured the group around the site, which is leased for a nominal sum from Aldersgate. Aldersgate is just one of many collaborations the Farm Trust has. Many thanks to Mary Stokes and her team for organizing this inspiring and fun member social.