Please meet this wonderful group of people who work directly in the food system!
Harry Hamil, Founder and Manager of Morning Chorus Farm
Harry Hamil sort of backed into the local healthy food movement when he fell in love with Elaine Beverly shortly after she moved to Black Mountain in May 1995. They joined the fledgling Valley Garden Market, providing hot beverages and baked goods (Elaine) and starts and raspberries (Harry). They also soon began coordinating the market. After broadening their partnership into marriage in May 1996, they expanded their efforts reviving the local food system in the Swannanoa Valley. They added a year round healthy food store in 2003 and a food distributorship in 2006. They helped organize the Mountain Tailgate Market Assn. with Elaine serving as its Secretary for its first several years. In 2009 and 2010, Elaine carried the store so that Harry could focus his efforts almost full-time on the legislative fight over the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). They were named 2010 Co-Activists of the Year for their efforts which included helping organize the coalition that was able to add the modified Tester-Hagen amendments to the final bill. In February 2014, the Hamils sold their store in Black Mountain and began the process of creating a new organizational model for a collaborative farm. Morning Chorus Farm L3C is designed to transition the ownership of land to aspiring farmers and empower them through an extensive training program and mentorship so they can farm full-time. The farm is located in and around Rural Retreat in SWVA. The Hamils hope finally to move there full-time this summer.
Harry's presentation at lunch is entitled "Do What You Wish." In it he will share several lessons he and Elaine have learned in their 20+ years working to expand the local component of the US food system. Harry will introduce us to the farmers who will be joining us for dinner and during the exhibition hall. These farmers will all be out working during lunch, including one couple at the Davidson Farmers Market. Elaine isn't able to attend due to health challenges.
Harry Hamil sort of backed into the local healthy food movement when he fell in love with Elaine Beverly shortly after she moved to Black Mountain in May 1995. They joined the fledgling Valley Garden Market, providing hot beverages and baked goods (Elaine) and starts and raspberries (Harry). They also soon began coordinating the market. After broadening their partnership into marriage in May 1996, they expanded their efforts reviving the local food system in the Swannanoa Valley. They added a year round healthy food store in 2003 and a food distributorship in 2006. They helped organize the Mountain Tailgate Market Assn. with Elaine serving as its Secretary for its first several years. In 2009 and 2010, Elaine carried the store so that Harry could focus his efforts almost full-time on the legislative fight over the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). They were named 2010 Co-Activists of the Year for their efforts which included helping organize the coalition that was able to add the modified Tester-Hagen amendments to the final bill. In February 2014, the Hamils sold their store in Black Mountain and began the process of creating a new organizational model for a collaborative farm. Morning Chorus Farm L3C is designed to transition the ownership of land to aspiring farmers and empower them through an extensive training program and mentorship so they can farm full-time. The farm is located in and around Rural Retreat in SWVA. The Hamils hope finally to move there full-time this summer.
Harry's presentation at lunch is entitled "Do What You Wish." In it he will share several lessons he and Elaine have learned in their 20+ years working to expand the local component of the US food system. Harry will introduce us to the farmers who will be joining us for dinner and during the exhibition hall. These farmers will all be out working during lunch, including one couple at the Davidson Farmers Market. Elaine isn't able to attend due to health challenges.