St. Helena Parish's Legendary Vegetable Farmer's Field Day at Warner Hall's Farm

Warner Hall
Local Farmer, St. Helena Parish

Early this morning, I drove out to St. Helena Parish's Legendary Vegetable Farmer's Field Day to take part in the event. A number of representatives from the SU Agricultural Center, LSU Agricultural Center, USDA, and WCSHC were present at this event. In order to capture some photographs of the garden and nature scenes before the crowd poured in I arrived early. The atmosphere was vibrant, with old friends greeting each other and new friends forming connections. It was truly a great day to be a part of the agriculture community.

The weather that day was slightly overcast, so I was able to take some photographs. Weather-wise, I could not have asked for a better day.  The mild temperatures and overcast skies made for perfect shooting conditions. His farm has a lot of vegetables that I took pictures of. The acres of land are covered with rows of corn, squash, cucumbers, green bell peppers, strawberries, watermelons, and eggplants.

The therapeutic nature of gardening was emphasized by a retired couple I met at the event. They both agreed that tending to their garden was a calming and peaceful activity that had become an integral part of their everyday routine. I can assure you that every word spoken here is correct. When I'm working in my garden it is relaxing and therapeutic for me. 

Members of the Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) drove 3 1/2 hours from Lexington, Mississippi to attend this educational agricultural event. A group of Winston County Self-Help Cooperative members traveled three and a half hours from Lexington, Mississippi to attend this agricultural educational event. The event was attended by other local farmers who shared and learned. Sharing farming tips is something they never hesitate to do with each other. 

The free agricultural education material I received was much appreciated.  I walked away with a pack of Wildflowers Mixture for Natural Landscaping which is distributed by the USDA. I am interested in learning more about pollinators and how they work. It is estimated that three-fourth of all flowering plants in the world require pollinators in order to reproduce and survive. There is no doubt that animal pollination is necessary for the majority of vegetables, fruits, and seed crops, as well as other plants that are used for fiber, medicine, and fuel production.  Insect pollinators like butterflies, bees, birds, moths, bats, beetles, and ants contribute significantly to the existence of many of the foods we eat on a daily basis. The type of educational agricultural events is important. 

Warner Hall's farm
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

The land had been in Larry Freeman's family since 1873

Larry Freeman
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

 

It has been over a decade since I first met Larry Freeman and his wife Shirley Freeman. The last time I visited their farm was a few years ago, when Shirley had her cage-free chicken roaming freely around the yard when I visited them for the first time.  In my last visit to her house, she told me that some animal had eaten all her chicken, and that she was very disappointed. It is my guess that she did not want to go through that experience again. During the course of her farm experiment, she had set up a honey bee hive as part of her research. There is only one guinea fowl that Shirley has now.

They live on a fifteen-acres plot of land that is home to beautiful  horses and cows which roam freely throughout the lush green pastures behind their house. Honestly, I was just curious to see what Larry day  was like on the farm, so I decided to follow him around the farm to see what he was up too. There is a lot that Larry needs to accomplish in a day, so he starts his morning very early. It was 10 am, in the morning when I met up with him, which is late for a cattleman like him. 

He gave me a tour of the fifteen acres of beautiful pastures. Beautiful meadow glistened with yellow wildflowers as the sun glistened on them, as horses freely grazed in the fields while being surrounded by the beauty of the sunshine. He took me on an additional forty-acres where he planned to move the cows later on in the week after we spent some time touring the fifteen acres. His attention was drawn to one of his cows lying down in the distance. He just wanted to make sure the cow was okay. In 1873, his ancestors purchased 160 acres of land on the original tract of 160 acres of land that was located further up the road. It is easy for me to understand why Larry says that with such pride.

"There are few people who can really say that they still own the land in their family since the 1800s? In 1888, my family purchased two hundred acres of land, but what happened to the land is a mystery to me. My maternal 3rd great-grandfather Robert Harrell bought the land along with his son, my 2nd great grandfather Alexander Harrell."

After we arrived, Larry pointed out a beautiful old oak tree that held so many memories for him.  The memories he holds in his mind are something I would like to see visually. The old oak tree brought back memories of playing, climbing, and sitting under it for Larry.  My great-grandmother Emma's homestead in Amite, Louisiana, had an old oak tree, which I fondly remember playing under with my brothers and cousins during the hot summer days. 

Cattle graze the land, feeding and giving birth to calves. Whenever Larry pulls up, cows and calves moo like a chore.Grazing on the new pastures was their desire. It wasn't time for them to rotate into a new pasture yet. There was no end to the ringing of the phone for Larry. In the middle of our day we were interrupted by a phone call and he was forced to attend to some farm matters, and that was the end of our day. Larry understands the power of land ownership. Educating their children and grandchildren about land ownership is a priority for him and his wife Shirley 

Tri-Parish Vegetable Growers & Angus Cattle Community Farmers Association, Inc., honor local + 70 farmers

+70 Farmer Honorees

Who is Craig Coleman? Gathering of Hearts embarked on mission work some years ago, and I met Craig's mother and sister Kim. They lived across the track outside of Kentwood city limits. It was a peaceful and quiet fifteen-minute drive from my home inside the city limits to their home along the scenic route.

It took  two weeks for the mission work to be completed. I had many conversations with Kim during this period. During many conversations, she mentioned her brother Craig's love for farming. In fact, he planted a small garden behind his mother's house. It was years later that I had the pleasure of meeting Craig and his wife Shannon. The passion he had for farming captivated me. Today, it is difficult to find young men who are passionate about farming and raising livestock.  As my curiosity got the best of me, I had to interview him to learn where his passion for agriculture came from

"Whenever I got the chance, I would help older farmers on their farms when I was growing up," Craig recalled. He was learning from more experienced farmers, it provided a networking opportunity with other farmers and owners of livestock. Craig said that farming is something he has dreamed of since he was a child. Having his own land and farming it is a dream come true for him. Furthermore, he truly appreciate

the knowledge that older farmers had shared with him. Craig organized the +70 Farmers Award to honor the farmers' contribution over the years. As a member of the Angus Cattle Community Farmers Association, Inc., Craig chair the Tri-Parish Vegetable Growers program.  Several honorees received recognition for providing their families and communities with fresh produce and meat for many years. 

Mike Strain, the Agricultural Commissioner, delivered the keynote address. "While he covered many topics that evening, I remember one in particular: don't sell the land." His father told him, boy, never sell this land.  Land is the one thing they cannot make anymore.  They understood that statement because they have been farming and living on their land for decades. Many discuss this topic with their own offsprings and family members. 

Support for the honorees was well-represented by family and friends. Mayor Irma T. Gordon welcomed everyone to the event. A healthy lunch was served to everyone. St. Helena 4-H Club was in attendance.  The event was supported by farmers and livestock ranchers from Tangipahoa, St. Helena, and Washington Parishes. Craig was equally surprised to see that his family presented him will a plague for his hard work and dedication first to his family and secondly for his role in agriculture.

Craig Coleman 
Chair of the Tri-Parish Vegetable Growers

Honorees

Don Asford, Betty Asford, Annette Brumfield, Ardean Brumfield, Stanley Brumfield, Albert Brumfield, Malcom Brody, Aulton Cryer, Sr., Alphonse Dillon, Allen Donald,  Ricky Gutierrez, Warner Hall, Louis Hall, Herman Henry, Bob Havin, Raymond Holmes,  Forace James, Carl James, Emily King, Leon Lenard, Don Peoria, Emmitt Perry, Louis Self, Rosa Shaffett, Jeff Shaffett,  Frank Taylor, Quincy Walker, Robert Wallace, Carnell Wallace, Nonzie Williams, John Womack.

Quincy Walker is still working his farm at 85 years old

Quincy Walker
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I began my morning by visiting Mr. Quincy Walker's farm. The dense fog that blanketed the Northshore did not prevent us from heading to the farm. After the fog cleared, I toured his 35-acre farm in Tangipahoa. As soon as I arrived in the area, he was waiting for me on the main highway in a Ranger Kinetic. Because of the mud, he informed me that my car would not be able to pass. 

I was eager to begin taking photographs and recording videos with my camera gear. Due to medical reasons, he was unable to get to the farm this summer. The moment his health permitted him to return to farming, something he "enjoys" doing. The area he took me to was a sugarcane field. He planted two types of sugarcane, blue ribbon and banana. John Womack gave me some seeds from his place for the cane you see right here.  The sugarcane stalks need to be cleaned of dead leaves, which he wants me to watch him do. He wore a long sleeve shirt to protect his skin from the sharp blades of the long and thin leaves that can cut you. "You don't want this to cut you," Walker said. When you take a bath, you talk about something that stings you, and it hurts," he said. 

Quincy Walker
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

He drove me around the farm to look at the many rolls of sugarcane. The next step is to cut and stack it in bundles for the mill. To document their process of cutting it down and stacking it, I asked him if I could
join them. I was assured it would be fine if I documented the process. As I watched Walker work with a tool that he designed to make the job easier, I was equally impressed with his ingenuity. He made a handle that appeared to be 6 feet long to reach the tall stalks. He said, "I made the handle myself." In order to reach the top of the tall stalks, I needed a handle that was long said Walker. 

Some of his agricultural knowledge came from his ancestors and older people in the community who were farmers as well as his Indian heritage. We knew how to survive he said. This is why I enjoy talking with him and most importantly learning from him. For the most part he gets help here and there. When no one is available, Walker does most of the farm work by himself. A part of the farm is also used for raising cattle. I anticipate watching him work his crop on his farming the upcoming days.

The History and Legacy of the Muse Family of St. Helena, Louisiana

Left to Right
Allen Muse, Chris Muse, Burnell Muse
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Muse is a surname I grew up hearing family members speak about. The Muse family is large and they are from St. Helena Parish, they said. This past summer I took a bus tour to Lexington, Mississippi to tour farms. Several of the Muse brothers; Chris Muse, Burnell Muse, Burnell Muse and their sister Barbara Muse English were on the bus. They were wearing orange and blue tee shirts with their logo that said "Muse 3 Farm". I wanted to know more about Muse 3 Farm. I visited their website and was deeply impressed with their 120 acres of farmland. 

I had the opportunity to attend one for their farm day events. That was my opportunity to learn more about their farm and family history. My drive to Greensburg, Louisiana, took me to their farm. It caught my attention that the road was named after the Muse family. Upon entering the farm, I was captivated by the picturesque landscape and the goats house with the artwork created by Michelle. The lambs was grazing and sitting by one of the three ponds on the property. 

My eyes were astonished by Eve's gorgeous butterfly garden and the healthy cage-free chickens that roamed around clucking and eating. The artwork that Chris' wife Michelle painted on the mobile chicken coop caught my attention. Burnell's wife Wanda like taking photographs of the beauty sceneries and animals on the farm. It was impressive to see how well the Muse family worked together. It is a collective effort between the Muse brothers, their wives, and members of their families. 

Allen Muse
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I wanted to know more about their family history. Who are their parents and grandparents? How far back can they trace their family history? This is where the story of family history began for me. Who are these hard working and dedicated people who are holding up the traditions and legacy that was passed down to them by their ancestors? 

Their parents were Columbus Muse and Alice Jackson Muse. The couple married in 1952 in St. Helena, Louisiana. Columbus was born about 1930 in St. Helena, Louisiana. He worked as a farm helper on a farm according to the 1930 United States Federal Census.

Allen often spoke of his grandfather Mittie in interviews. In his memoirs, he talked about the things his grandfather taught him when he was a young man. Land ownership is something his grandfather instilled in them. While all three brothers worked in other professions, they never lost their love of agriculture and working the land. The same lessons are now being taught to their children and grandchildren.

Mitte Muse was born in 1888 and died in 1979. He is buried in Clinton-Pipkin Cemetery. Mittie was
married to Mattie Luberta Williams. Now, I can see why my family talked about how large the Muse family is. Columbus had several sisters and brothers. The Muse family is an example of what can be accomplished when a family stays together and works together. My attention was drawn to the closeness of all the brothers. In his joking manner, Allen told me that four of them slept in one bed as children. His emphasis was that it couldn't get any closer than that.

Columbus and Alice J. Muse
Photo Courtesy: Chris Muse

Muse 3 Farm is located at 1967 Muse Rd, Greensburg, LA.  Muse 3 Farm is your destination for organic animals, vegetables, and manure. Their cattle, lamb, and goats are grass fed and their chickens and turkeys are free range. Their animals graze on over 100 acres of pristine farmland. Muse 3 Farm offers educational tours. Their beautiful scenery is also the perfect locations for those looking for rustic, natural backdrops for photoshoots. Muse 3 Farm is Certified by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. 

If they were alive today, their parents and grandparents would be gleaming with pride and joy at what their offspring have accomplished. Those valuable lessons their parents and grandparents taught them are still with them. Their heritage as farmers gives them great pride. From as far back as they can recall, their ancestors have farmed. Each of the Muse brothers graduated from Southern University Baton Rouge. Two of them reconnected with their roots after retiring. Although there is a great deal of work each day for them to accomplish, it's not like working because it is something they enjoy doing. 

They have been blessed by the land throughout the decades. Providing them with food and shelter, as well as an income. The Muse 3 Farm gives back to the community by educating the youth about livestock and agriculture. It is imperative to teach children how to feed themselves and understand the importance of purchasing and maintaining land. All three expressed the same sentiment.

Juanita Muse in her butterfly garden
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

A major attraction at Muse 3 Farm is Eve's butterfly garden. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other insects are attracted to the colorful flowers and the sweet nectar the flowers provide. The milkweed Juanita planted in her garden attracts monarch butterflies. During the past few years, the populations of migratory monarch butterflies have steadily declined. Monarch larvae rely on milkweed as a host plant. It was beautiful to watch the children run behind the beautiful colorful butterflies. Volunteers were there to educate the children about the importance of butterflies and insects to our ecosystem. More than 80% of the world's flowering plants depend on them for pollination and nutrient cycling. 

I couldn't help by notice not one child or teenager had a cellphone in their hands playing games. I felt like I somehow step back in a beautiful time when I was growing up playing outside. Enjoy the outdoors. To learn more about Muse 3 Farm please visit the link below. 

Link

muse3farm.com

Allen Muse Educating his Daughter and Grandsons About Farm Life

Dustin Davidson
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Earlier today,  I had the privilege and opportunity to talk briefly with three generations  of the Muse family in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.  During our discussion about land ownership, we discussed the future of land ownership with the next generations of Allen and Juanita Muse. Their daughter Ashley Davis and her two sons. Dustin Davis, who is eight years old, and Danny Davis, who is eleven years old, both live in a large city in the State of Texas. 

The boys are no stranger to farm life, and their grandparents are happy to teach them what they know about working on a farm. Muse 3 Farms and their sponsors; First South Farm Credit, Kentwood CO-OP,  Kentwood Spring Water, LSU AgCenter, SARE, St. Helena Cattle Company, and Southern University Ag Center, and the USDA NRCS sponsored a Soil Health Cover Crop Field Day on Muse 3 Farm. 

There were a number of guest speakers and demonstrations on the agenda. The cover crops were demonstrated by Burnell Muse, Assistant Area Agent, ANR SU Ag Center. Mittie Muse demonstrated no -till techniques. With their grandfather and great uncle;  Danny and Dustin boys walked side by side to gain an understanding of farm life and how to to manage a farm.

3 Generations
Allen Muse, his daughter Ashley Davis, her sons
Dustin and Danny 
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

"We are teaching the boys about property, farm management in preparations for one day passing it to thenext generation, "said Allen.  Ashley said that her son Danny have more interest in the in management and the paperwork.  

The boys are familiar with their property boundaries for the land. I was pleased to learn that the Muse family is educating their youth about land ownership and the business affairs of owning land. All across the United States, African Americans are losing land due to the lack of knowledge and how to manage property. 

I wish more families would educate their youth about heir property and owning property. When paying the property taxes we should take the children along with discuss what we are doing and why we are doing it. As they grow up, they will understand the importance of land business matters, and how to handle them. I am extremely proud of Danny and Dustin. I am certainly proud of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles for teaching these important lessons to their offsprings. 

Adam Gordon on the Farm in Amite, Louisiana

Adam Gordon

Adam Gordon was the son of Willie K. Gordon, Sr. and Alma "Mandy Richardson Gordon. Before joining the military during the Vietnam War, he worked on his parents' farm. He was planting and harvesting the crops. His job duties were to tend to the livestock. One day during one of our interviews, he told me that he didn't like working on the farm but didn't have a choice doing that time. 

His paternal grandmother Mandy Wheat Jones was a farmer and herbalist in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Adam wouldn't even consider farming as a career. As soon as a window presented itself to get away from the farm work, he wasn't going to miss the opportunity, and he did just that. Adam was a community activist and organizer. He protested to integrate business and seek employment for many African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish. He organized a protest in front of Red and White Supermarket to get the store to hire African American Cashiers. 

When he was employed at Norco Refinery in Norco, Louisiana as a supervisor, he hired a lot of people for Tangipahoa Parish. He owned his own job and put many people to work in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes.  Adam was married to Glynis Vernon Gordon and they had two sons and four grandchildren. 

Time Spent with My Great Uncle Palmer Harrell

Palmer Roscoe Harrell

Me and my brothers called him Uncle Buddy like everyone else in the family. Palmer Roscoe Harrell was born on Oct 28, 1900 and died in 1977 in Amite, Louisiana  He and I share the same birthday. I grew up in Amite, Louisiana, for the first twelve years of my life and got to spend sometime with Uncle Buddy drove an old green pickup truck to the  family homestead to do his farm work. He farmed on the land that his mother Emma Mead Harrell had purchased in 1896. 

Uncle Buddy drove so slow that my oldest brother Reginald would jump on and off the back of the truck. Boy! If my mother would've seen that we all would've been in big trouble. And especially me because I'm the oldest. He took out so much time with my brothers and me, we all loved him dearly. 

Sometimes I would sit in front of the truck with him. I had to push all the stuff he had on the front seat over so I would have a place to sit. I remember the old mason jar with frozen ice water and a bag with vanilla wafers and cheese in it. After we helped him with his daily chores, we took us to Bell's store to buy some treats with the nickel he gave each of us. Now, those nickels with far back in those days. Uncle Buddy walked as slow as he drove his truck. He'll always hold an extraordinary place in my heart. The lessons of planting vegetables came from him. Whenever I'm working in my garden, I think of him. I called my youngest Michael and asked him what he remembers most about him. 

I remember after school, he would give us time to change our school clothes and put on some work clothes, and he'll come and pick us up to help him pick peas, beans, and load the hampers on the back of the truck, said Michael. Sometimes we just walked across the road and help him.

Michael had me laughing so hard; he remembered when  our brother Thomas took two watermelons and put them in a sack and put them in the pond to stay cool so he could eat them later. Uncle Buddy said I know how many watermelons I had. If I find out who got them, you would be in trouble. 

He told us if it was raining and start lightning don't stand under the trees. "We soon found out why he said that," said Michael. We did just what he told us not to do, and the lighting stuck the tree we were standing under a tree that struck by lightning. We ran as fast as we could all the way home. 

He always gave our mother fresh vegetables for us, helping him. Little did we know we were buying our groceries. "Not only did we help harvest the crops," said Michael. We had to clean the vegetables and help mama freeze them. One thing is for sure it taught us good work ethics, he said. 

Their ties to the Land and Agriculture is in their DNA

Field Day
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

My maternal grandfather comes from a long line of farmers in the East Flordia Parishes, Louisiana. Several weekends ago my grandkids and I took a morning tour of one the local farms on the Northern end of Tangipahoa Parish, along with people from around other parishes.  Craig and Shannon Coleman were the hosts for this years field day event. Thier kids and family members helped them to make this event a success.

Everyone signed in and put their name tags on, some grabbed a fresh hot cup of coffee freshly brewed and fresh donuts. The homemade fresh cookies were a special treat for everyone, thanks to the cookie baker.  Some folk sampled fresh greens right out of the garden. I wanted to sample the taste of the uncooked purple mustards, but I forgot to go back and get it. One lady said she tasted them and they were tender and sweet. She wanted to learn more about the purple mustards so she can plant some in her garden.

Women and men gathered to share their knowledge of their subject of interest. Conversations about the different types of grass they grow and the health benefit for their livestock.  How many acres it takes to raise one cow? Planting and harvesting the produce can be heard as we travel along the beautiful back countryside.  All the kids were enjoying the ride and watching the tiny

The girls walking in the pasture
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

dog run behind us as we drove along. When we got to the cow pasture, they watched the cattle come up for food for a minute and they took off running and playing like kids will do. Looking at them running and playing under the beautiful blue skies and rolling hills of pastures were photo taking moments for me. 

The weather was just beautiful for this tour. I sit there watching and engaging in conversations here and there. Riding-along brought back so many beautiful childhood memories for me. Growing up in Amite, Louisiana near several family members that were farmers. My maternal great uncle Palmer Harrell farmed right across the road where I lived. My family lived on heir property that was purchased by my great-grandmother Emma Mead Harrell in 1896 and 1902,   grandmother Emma was a farmer. So being around all the farmers, cattlemen, and cattlewomen were very exciting and educational for me. 

Our first stop was the cattle pastures to see the Angus livestock. The owners of livestock shared information and asked questions to learn new about techniques of agriculture.  Some of the farmers met for the first time and others knew each other through agriculture. I interviewed several of the farmers and most of them grew up on a farm and they still have a very deep passion for farming. I know it's in their DNA because after living in the New Orleans for thirty-four years, I returned to the country where I can appreciate having my garden, growing oranges, blueberries, and pears and being connected to mother nature. The beautiful sound of the birds sing in the morning is my alarm clock. The smell of freshness in the air and on a clear night I can see the beautiful stars. 

Trail Ride

As a child growing up in the country, we had the supermarket right outdoors. We had black walnut trees, pecan trees, fig trees, peach trees, natural spring water, herbs, produce, chickens, and my grandfather had a horse named Frank. 

I can truly understand the passion for it. Walking in the footstep of my uncle Palmer who taught me how important the soil is to our very existence. Two things a man can't live without,  food and water. The taste of fresh and especially organic produce is music to my body, my cells, and health.  Fresh herbs and vegetables with vibrant colors are the medication we all need to live a healthy life. This is one of the best prescriptions that can be prescribed. Everyone can grow fresh herbs and produce, no matter where you live. If you live in a city, try planting in flower pots. You will be surprised what a flower pot can yield.

I have a greater respect and appreciation for our local farmers who take pride in growing our food. People understand the importance of lawyers, doctors, engineers, and other occupations. "How often do we think about our local farmers? " More people should support the local farmers in their areas.  The taste of fresh produce from the rich soil to your kitchen tables would be a special treat for you and your family.  I look forward to the next event and I gladly signed my name on their communication list. 

Women Farmers, Cattle Women and Honey Beekeepers

Shirley look at her okra
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Last weekend,  I saw Larry Freeman at the field day event that was held on Stateline Road in Kentwood, Louisiana. We talked about his crops and what his wife Shirley was embarking upon. Larry and Shirley grow  produce,  and they raise cattle. Shirley takes pride in her hen house, and I like the fact that she recycled a lot of the materials she used to build her hen house. Shirley grew on a farm outside of Laura, Mississippi.  She recalled her mother selling eggs and providing eggs to the school because she had so many eggs. One story about the eggs that came to her mind is the time her sister who was carrying eleven dozens of eggs and she dropped all eleven dozens. "Just talking about this is bringing back memories," said Shirley. I wish I would have paid more attention. I know women who were quilters, canners, and women who made homemade teacakes. "My mother uses to make the best-tasting tea cakes," said Shirley. My sister and I try to make them like mama, but we can't get the taste like mama.

While walking around the old family homestead in Mississippi, she found the laying boxes her father used in his hen house. Shirley and her husband Larry brought it back to Louisiana,  and she is going to restore it and used it for her old girls.  As a child growing up on a farm, Shirley couldn't appreciate the way of life then. Now, she had a great appreciation for growing her own produce and gathering her fresh eggs.

Shirley Beehive

When I drove up this morning, I found her cleaning her hen house out and feeding her old girls. Having my own chicken coop, I enjoyed looking at her hen house. Her hens and rooster have a lot of space to walk around. She let them out for free range and in the woods they went. 

What was more interesting to me is she is a beekeeper as well! This is her first time trying it and she seems to enjoy learning about bees and tasting that fresh honey.  Shirley informed me how she maintains her honey bee colonies. She is definitely looking forward to expanding her beehives. She joined the beekeepers association to learn all that she can and to meet other people in the beekeeping business. I try to purchase honey from the local farmers as much as I can. So far she hasn't got stung by one of her friends. She said there is a certain way to approach the hive. I saw them swarming around. I wanted to be as careful as possible.  Disturbing the hives is something I didn't want to do.  Walking around on her land, she was pointing out the different things she planted. She pointed to her cotton stalk on the west end of the land. 

 I learned that you had to fill out an application with the Department of Agriculture before planting the cotton due to the boll weevil.  This past summer she and Larry planted okra, they had two gardens of greens growing. As we walked around two Angus calves were following us around like to friendly pets. I thought to myself, how could eat them,  they have become something like a pet. Well, my morning came to an end and it was time for me to get back to my desk. Taking this trip this morning was a breath of fresh air. 

Eugene Edwards Was Rented Out By His Father For Eight Dollars A Week

Eugene Edward
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

Eugene "Brother"  Edwards was born in 1923 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. At the age of 93 years old, he still plants his crops and harvests it himself.  He pulled himself up on his old tractor and got to work disking his rolls for planting. I wasn't there just to interview him, I wanted to watch him work, so I dare not stop him from his day's work.  He uses to plant nearly twenty acres of land, nowadays, he's not planting near that much. He breaks for lunch and returns in the evening. No matter how hot the summer days get, he'll be out there planting and working.  The cold days can't stop him when it comes to planting. It's his way to feed himself and making a few extra dollars for the month. He left and went up to Detroit and worked in the plant for a while. I guess you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. Eugene returned back to the Deep South and never left again. 

Eugene still heats himself up in the winter with his old pot belly wood burning stove, while cooking a pot of fresh red beans and some fresh collard and mustard greens for dinner.  When visiting with him, it seems as though time stood still in his neck of the woods. The old wooden house stood the test of time.

He told me how his father rented him out to an old white man. The old white man furnished his room and board and paid the eight dollars to his father, Ben Edwards. According to his registration draft card, he lived with his father Ben Edwards at the age of twenty-three-year-old at RFD #1, Amite, La.; He was farming with his father. Eugene signed his name on the registration card.

His parents Ben and Annie Williams Edwards." His mother Annie died at a young age after falling off a horse and died from complications," said Sharonne Hall, a cousin to Eugene Edwards. This was the oral passed to Sharonne by her grandmother, Luella Butler Johnson Morris, a first cousin to Eugene."

Luella and Eugene were a couple of months apart in age. His father later married a woman by the of name Careetha. His siblings were; Geneva, Estelle, James, Willie, Shadrack, Abednego, and Machae. His three brothers were after the men in the Bible.

Eugene Edwards
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black

Farming is in the DNA of Eugene, and he will plant and harvest until he just can no longer do what he love and enjoy doing. Eugene can recall the names and history of the people who make up the Parish of St. Helena.  He came from a long line of farmers and learning the art of farming from some of the best. And yes! He plants by the moon and stands by the Farmer's Almanac like most farmers. 

It has been a long time since I visit him last. I can see the hard work of farming has taken a toll on his body. He was walking bent over more than he was several years ago. His son moved next door, and his grandchildren help him harvest the crops. 

"Are there any lessons we can learn from Eugene," yes there are? If only we would take the time out to talk with him. There aren't that many people his age left that we can talk to about the era he came up in and what he experience and witness. I was delighted to introduce him to Eddie Ponds, owner of the African American Newspaper in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  Eddie and I talked about his oral history project, and I thought Eugene's story would be a great story to write about. 

I wish I had more farmer that I can interview about planting, harvesting and storing what you grew. My grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr. was a farmer. He passed away when I was two years old. Although I learned some lessons of planting from his brother Palmer Harrell.  Their mother Emma Mead Harrell was a farmer. They lived in the place that Emma purchased in 1896 and 1902. She farmed about twenty acres. And she drove her mule and wagon to town to sell her produce. 

Eddie and I both were happy to see that he was still physically and mentally able to continue what he loves. There always somebody visiting him and talking with him, The wisdom and his vast sense of humor keep the visitors coming. 

Eugene Edwards Registration Card

Proud To Be The Granddaughter Of A Farmer

Antoinette Gardening

I descend from a long line of farmers on my paternal and maternal side of the family. The Harrell, Boykins, Dudley, Richardson, and Vining  were farmers by occupation, they purchased their land and fed their families from the land. I was a young child when my maternal great uncle Palmer Harrell taught me and my brothers how to plant and grow vegetables. I enjoyed it then and I still enjoy planting vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers up until this day.

Once you eat something so fresh and tasty out of your own garden its hard to eat anything else. There is nothing like eating fresh vegetables and fruit that isn't genetically modified or GMOs. This brings to mind men like cousin Henry Wheat,  Governor Harrison, Walter Wren, Sr., The Wheeler, Temple, Frazier, Coleman and Atkin's Families who farmed. Of course there are so many more families in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes who made a living by farming.

Peppermint Herb
Harrell's Garden

I planted fresh herbs in my garden too. The taste of freshly squeezed homemade lemonade with a twist of mint is just what your taste buds call for on a nice breezy summer day. My herbal basil plants didn't survive the harsh winter.  I'm still waiting to see if my orange tree survive the freeze and snow we had this winter in Southeast Louisiana.

The rosemary plant survived to my surprise. When I want to relax and get away from the stresses of life. Working in my garden is very therapeutic for me.  Growing your home vegetables and herbs have many healthy benefits. Its appears that gardening and farming is dying in the African American communities. I find it necessary to teach my grandchildren how to plant vegetables and fruit.  

My grandson Connor learning about farming

Cilantro Herb
Harrell's Garden

The Legacy of Farming with Ernest Frazier of Amite, Louisiana.

“He was born to be a farmer. It was something that he was good at, something he knew well. He was a giver of life, an alchemist that worked in dirt, seed, and manure.” ― Tracy Winegar, Good Ground

Ernest Fazier

Like his father who was passionate about tilling the soil and making things grow.  Ernest Frazier is just like his father Mr. Willie Charles Frazier known to everyone in the Amite community as Mr. W.C. Just like his father, Ernest spend a great deal of time working and tilling the soil. What I have learned about men and women who are like Ernest and his father, they have a natural connection to the soil! It is in their blood and they look forward to planting  crops every year. They are masters of agriculture, some people went to school to get a degree to study agriculture. For Ernest and his father it came natural and was passed down from generations. Black farmers in America dreamed of owning their own land. They worked hard to make that dream come true.  Many black farmers in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes wanted to operated independently from the white farmers or land owners. I heard many say that they wouldn't get the same price for their produce as white men and women in the community or markets.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

The Census of Agriculture is now conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture every 5 years. The Federal agricultural schedules were taken beginning in 1840. The schedules provide information like the owner's name, acres improved and unimproved, value of the farm, farming machinery, crop and livestock production, and "home manufactures." 

Black farmers in America faced discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture loans for decades. Women both black and white faced a discrimination as well. It is good to see men like Ernest carry the family tradition of farming on today. My maternal grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., and his mother Emma Mead Harrell were farmers.  Jasper's brother Palmer Harrell also farmed, I hold fond memories of farming with my great uncle Palmer. For the newly freed slaves, owning your own land meant freedom and a ticket to becoming independent and self-sufficient. One thing is for sure a farmer will never go hungry and they know what they are eating. Ernest enjoy watching the vegetable grow and certainly enjoy the fresh taste of squash, cucumbers, corn, beans, tomatoes, strawberries and sweet potatoes. He is the kind of man that shares with his neighbors just like his father did. After all the planting and picking, his wife Jo-Ann, cans the vegetables and make some of the best tasting homemade jams you want to taste.

She learned how to can from the women who came before her. I was very happy to hear that she held on to the tradition. It isn't that many women who are still canning. When I was little girl, I remember my mother and grandmother canning. Although I have never canned any fresh fruits or vegetables. I am willing to learn because there is nothing to compare to the taste. 

Thank to both Ernest and his wife Jo-Ann for holding on to those value lessons of farming and canning. It would be good to see them both co-author a book on farming and canning and how the tradition was passed on to them by their ancestors.

The History and Legacy of Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred was the sixth child born to Isaac (Ike) Vernon and Isabell Crook in 1891. He passed away in 1963.  His siblings were: Alonzo, Ruth, Wesley, Ivy and Martha Ann.  He was raised in Tangipahoa Parish, LA in an area known as Vernon Town.

Fred’s grandfather was Robert Vernon, better known in slavery times as “Free Bob.”  Robert Vernon was born a slave, but purchased his freedom and became a slave owner.  He then became a successful land owner, acquiring approximately 2300 acres of land.  

He gave each of his children 100 acres upon their marriage to establish their own home.  The area was known as Vernon Town.  In addition, as a well respected leader and religious worker in his community, he donated 4 acres of land to centralize the church that was originally a log cabin on Big Creek.  The church, organized in 1869, was named Mount Canaan. Fred met and married Alice Irving of Roseland, LA around the year 1917.  This union produced five children:  Norman, Felton, Fred Jr, Dorothy and Osborn.  He purchased land in Roseland where he became a well respected farmer.

   

Farming was his primary source of income for his family.  He planted almost everything imaginable: cotton, vegetables, strawberries, melons, corn, potatoes, string beans, peanuts, etc.  His land was beautifully cultivated with crops as far as you could see.  Most profitable of his crops were his cotton, strawberries and melons.  He hired people to pick the cotton and strawberries, providing employment for the local community--and his sons used to sell the melons from a pickup trunk throughout the town.  His farm also included raising farm animals: cows, pigs, horses, chickens and turkeys.  He sold beef and pork from his smokehouse, and he sold chickens and turkeys.  His wife, Alice, was chiefly responsible for raising the chickens and collecting eggs for sale.

I remember life being so rich on this farm as my mother (Dorothy) and my dad was given land to live on the farm property as a wedding gift.  The land was filled with animals, fresh milk, eggs, vegetables, meat, homemade butter, and fruit trees were all around us (figs, pomegranates, plums, blackberries, etc.).  He also had a pecan tree in his backyard.  Oh my God, we never lacked nutrition on that farm. It was just a beautiful time in my life. 

But farming was very hard work.  It took everyone to play a role to keep it live and cultivated.  And unfortunately when grandpa’s children became adults and left home to start their own lives, he and grandma had reach the age that they could no longer maintain a farm of that magnitude alone.  So they retired the business in the late 1950s.

Grandpa’s life would never be the same after retiring the farm.  There just wasn’t enough to keep him occupied.  However, he did enjoy telling stories about old times and how much the world had changed; how he wondered what the world was coming to.  He didn’t like his vision of the future and said he was glad he wouldn’t be around to see it.  He made me laugh when he told these stories.

Fred’s faith of choice was Jehovah Witness in his senior years, and his political choice was Republican.  Oh how I wish I could have discussion with him about that issue now.

After the lost of his beloved Alice on January 3, 1963, he seemed lost and grieved hard.  He started to plan his life without her and made travel plans, something he had never had time to do during his life as a farmer.  He talked of going to Chicago to visit his son, Felton.  You could see the excitement in his eyes as he made these plans.  On that very day, March 22,1963, just three months following Alice’s death, Grandpa Fred succumbed to an asthma attack.

Article written and submitted by Jacqueline James Pendleton-Dukes, the first born grand-daugher.