Friends of Sheldon Farms:
I have wanted to start an occasional newsletter for those interested in the evolution of Sheldon Farms, its activities, and its vision. I am not sure, but I think in today’s parlance one vehicle for such communication is a “blog”, whereby information and commentary about a particular subject is disseminated via the internet, and responsive comments and contributions are welcomed. Katherine Knowlton (“KK for short”) has created our nascent website, www.sheldonfarms.com, and in her role as tech guru advises me that we have a blog ready to go, just needing content. This first post will not repeat the genesis of the Sheldon Farms Project (some of this can be gleaned from the website), but will assume that our first followers know enough about what we are attempting to do that an “update” will make sense to them. Many readers know of some of these developments, but putting down observations about our progress is good for the soul—so here goes:
I. THE FARM. We began a wet, discouraging spring and summer, when the elements and our busy travel schedule combined to frustrate proper nurture of the pecan orchards (we may sometimes refer to them as “Orchard 7” and “Orchard 9”, based on their legal descriptions on County records—this sounds more substantial that “Orchard 1” and “Orchard 2”, which would be numerically correct but lacking in whimsy). When the rains and our travel stopped simultaneously, in August, we returned to active cultivation with a vengeance, including the acquisition of a new Savage 5528 orchard sprayer, which facilitated the proper application of pesticides, fungicides, and foliar nutrition, the benefits of which were immediately apparent. I am now convinced that we have turned the corner (our trees are now 10, 8, and 7 years old) and that next fall we will finally have a measurable crop of pecans. We have had very little until now, and made no attempt at harvest this Fall ... but Martha Ann and I went out this morning and easily collected a bucket of fine pecans, even though the nut drop was weeks ago, and mowing and other activities destroyed most of the nuts on the ground.
Another incredible development was our heaven-sent association with Shawn Thackeray, an accomplished Wadmalaw farmer who has introduced non-pecan farming to Sheldon Farms. Shawn, working with our friend Fonchelle Taylor, has planted a number of (fall) row crops and flowers, pictures of which are attached hereto, and we are awash in arugula, radishes, a variety of other vegetables, and a magnificent stand of Zinnias and Cosmos. The flowers have been used in arrangements for town and country, and the arugula has been featured by top Charleston chefs in two recent caterings. Vegetable and flower cultivation takes place in a new “deer-resistant” two acre enclosure, which is another capital improvement constructed over the summer.
II. THE FACILITIES. In addition to the new vegetable garden enclosure, we have repaired and painted the better part of a mile of pasture fences, and have continuously groomed the pastures and orchard fairways, all of which are in excellent condition. More importantly, we are well-along in our modifications to 2245 Leadenwah Drive, to make it more commodious and functional for the uses we have in mind. The ground floor logia has been opened up, and the entire ground floor is being reinvented to provide additional sleeping and activity spaces, as well as a new ADA compliant bathroom. I have refrained from attaching pictures, preferring to wait on completion, but they will be posted soon. We are very pleased with the progress of our make-over.
I have included a picture of the new fountain at The Pavilion, which matches the one at the “Big House” dock at the other end of Lake Martha Ann.
III. THE PRODUCTS. This critical component of the Vision is perhaps the most problematic ... but we are making steady progress. Most readers are aware of our ownership of trademarks and service marks associated with Sheldon Farms. We are working with Braswell’s of Georgia to produce a line of non-perishable food products/condiments, all including ingredients indigenous to the Lowcountry. As we are learning to walk before trying to run, we have limited ourselves, for now, to our privately labeled “Habanero Hot Sauce” and “Green Pepper Jelly”, which we have in stock in a substantial quantity. We are hoping to distribute these products locally and if we are lucky, to capture some buzz for the Christmas market. Our packaging refers consumers to our website, and includes a UPC code for integration into retailers’ inventory.
We have initiated the process by which we will be able to sell our products by credit card payments, and I am meeting to finalize this bewildering process with Wells Fargo on Wednesday 11.14.18. As soon as that system is up an running, our website will be supplemented to allow for product sales on line. An actual online purchase transaction is necessary to the completion of our trademark registration process, and I am determined that this will happen before Thanksgiving!
IV. THE OUTREACH. We have met on site with representatives of the Dee Norton Children’s Advocacy Center and Grace Cathedral Church. An on-site visit with the leadership of Ashley Hall School is scheduled for December 3, 2018. We have contacted the Edith Frierson Elementary (Montessori) School, our neighbor on Maybank Highway, to explore collaborations. With our new hands-on, student-friendly farming activities, we are well-positioned to advance our therapeutic, spiritual, and educational missions with our target constituencies. Outreach has proceeded slowly to date, as we focus on Farm, Facilities, and Product initiatives, but it is ongoing and starting to gain traction.
To conclude this report before our audience wearies from too much information, I will just say that We’re on our Way, and are ever-more confident that our hopes for Sheldon Farms will become a reality. The expansive orchards, pastures, Lake Martha Ann, the woods, and the many buildings and structures have never been so beautiful and actively engaged, and visitors, of which there have been many in connection with several large events this Fall, never fail to be astonished at the Magic of Wadmalaw. I feel it, too!
Best wishes from Sheldon Farms—Rob
