Written by Aerhealle Chace
Conference Theme- Bridging Generations: Where Land Meets Legacy
The Fourtee Acres Resource Market Save Rural America Conference (F.A.R.M. SRAC), hosted on February 3rd with support from the Winston County Self Help Cooperative, was an enriching and resonant virtual gathering focused on legacy, stewardship, and sustainable infrastructure for rural landowners and agricultural communities. Organized by F.A.R.M., this session created a space for knowledge sharing, reflection, and the encouragement of collective empowerment.
The event began with opening remarks from Aerhealle Chace, Agriculture Education Resource Coordinator of F.A.R.M. , who introduced the organization’s mission, values, and educational goals. She set the stage for a program that intended to provide technical knowledge in addition to honoring the emotional and cultural depth of rural landownership and family farming.
Tyrone and Edna Williams, founders of Fourtee Acres, LLC and F.A.R.M. presented the first presentation “Living and Leaving a Legacy,” a heartfelt reflection on family history, land retention, and the future of their century farm. Tyrone began by acknowledging their ancestors, sharing how restoring the family cemetery led to the creation of the Williams Family Memorial Fund and later the Williams Legacy Educational Scholarship. These initiatives reflect one of the family’s leading beliefs that remembering the past is a pathway to building the future. Tyrone also walked attendees through their forestry journey, from timber harvests to reforestation and becoming American Tree Farm certified, which complement the long-term vision for their land that is rooted in sustainability and equity.
Edna Williams, the educational and horticultural backbone of the operation, then shared her experiences growing vegetables using natural methods and creating value-added products. As a lifelong educator, she emphasized how their farm serves as a living classroom for children, families, and aspiring growers. She discussed how each of their sons is actively involved in different aspects of the farm, demonstrating intergenerational stewardship in action.
Her words and example echoed a participant’s takeaway:
“It’s important to tell the family stories to the next generation, and it’s important to have a community to support you.”
Next we were joined by Carolyn Ross-Holmes, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Educational Project of NC, who provided historical context and practical strategies for organizing rural cooperatives. Drawing inspiration from Ella Baker and the Young Negroes Cooperative League, she walked through various cooperative structures (grocery, farming, and purchasing co-ops) while offering a roadmap for building grassroots infrastructure within local communities. Her presentation emphasized the strength of shared ownership and collective power, anchored in legacy and community resilience. She concluded with a compelling case study of the Front Porch Grocery Co-Op which serves as a thriving example of local food system innovation established in Warrenton, North Carolina.
Our next speaker was Lee Holcomb, a North Carolina Assistant State Conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Holcomb offered insights into NRCS programs like EQIP, CSP, and the newly implemented Regenerative Pilot Plan. He underscored the importance of building strong relationships with local conservationists and encouraged attendees to work with them to develop individualized conservation plans that maximize long-term benefits with their land management.
The final speaker of the event was Leslie McCormick, Executive Director of the North Carolina Tree Farm Program, who closed the session by discussing the role of forestland in North Carolina’s economy, ecosystems, and legacy planning. She outlined the standards of the American Tree Farm System as well as the NC Tree Farm Program, highlighting the four pillars of focus for good stewardship – wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. Her presentation explained how the programs offered by her organization help to educate and support landowners in using forest management to pass on wealth and knowledge to future generations.
The F.A.R.M. SRAC virtual event created a space for shared reflection, inspiration, and empowerment for rural landowners and stewards of legacy. With 28 engaged participants and powerful messages from seasoned practitioners, the session reaffirmed F.A.R.M.’s commitment to helping communities grow forward by remaining rooted in history, supported by knowledge, and thriving through collaboration. As one participant recounted, “I need to learn so much. It seems so overwhelming, but the resources you have provided let me know that I am not alone on this journey.”
