Stephen McRae was already preparing for spring harvest at Hartness Farm last fall. As the farm manager for Hartness, McRae has a big job.
The production garden will supply produce to Hartness Village’s forthcoming 4-star hotel, restaurant (Patterson at Hotel Hartness), Village Kitchen, Hartness residents, and the local community. McRae has been working closely with Chef Tanner Marino on a menu-driven garden including Flaming Flare Fresno Peppers for the chef’s hot sauce. McRae is also raising more than 100 chickens of 19 different varieties, and has flowers planted in gardens and hedgerows to attract pollinators.
His grandfather was a sharecropper in Day, Georgia, but McRae’s initial interest in becoming a farmer is rooted to a visit with Ben Coleman at Mountain Run Farm in Virginia.
“It’s where I heard about sustainable farming,” says McRae. Coleman’s passion was contagious. McRae dug into the craft, reading up on the sustainable practices of Jean-Martin Fortier, Curtis Stone and Eliot Coleman.
An internship at Greenbrier Farms in Easley turned to a full-time job managing livestock and handling wholesale accounts. That’s how he met his wife, Judi.
“I was delivering to Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, and she was the chef/kitchen manager.”
He joined her at Swamp Rabbit as a porter, where he helped with the Food Hub project that connects local farmers with restaurants and chefs. When the farm manager job at Hartness opened, McRae knew he was the right man.
“I saw the potential and opportunity here to build a sustainable farm and green spaces,” says McRae. He was excited to work with P. Allen Smith & Associates, nationally-renowned experts in conservation and sustainability, and Hartness town planner Lew Oliver. Their plan includes up to 250 rows of crops, green spaces, and raised beds available for Hartness homeowners.
McRae is building a crop share for Hartness residents, and has planted sweet corn for Mill Village Farms’ FoodShare program that provides fresh food to people in need. He is also mentoring the program’s youth through summer internships at Hartness Farm.
“Farming is humbling and satisfying. So many variables are involved in planting that tiny seed and getting it to someone’s plate. I truly enjoy the care put into growing food and seeing the results.”
Sustainability isn’t just a job for McRae, it is a heart project.
“God gave this to us. It’s our job to be good stewards of the land,” he says.
McRae and his wife tend a garden at home and raise chickens. He is a big advocate of bartering, and trades from his own bounty for childcare, dog sitting, house sitting and even rented storage space. They also share food with friends and neighbors in need.
“Partnerships are important in sustainability. Sure, people can do it on their own, but it takes a village,” he says.
Fun facts about Stephen McRae:
McRae attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia on a baseball scholarship, and thought about being a baseball coach.
He’s also a veteran and served in the Marines from 2010-2013.
Must-have books for a sustainable farming library?
- “The Market Gardener” by Jean Martin-Fortier
- “The Urban Farmer” by Curtis Stone
- “Four Seasons Gardner” by Elliott Coleman
A life lesson on sustainability:
McRae and wife of 4 years, Judi, are both over 6 feet tall. They lived in a tiny house in their driveway while they built their home. The experience proved a lesson in sustainability. “It made us think more intentionally about how to use our living space and what you can live without. It also forced us to be outdoors more.”
What can you put in compost?
Banana peels, eggshells, coffee grinds, vegetables scraps, grass clippings, cardboard with tape removed and chopped leaves. No meat scraps.
Farming tips for spring:
1) Get your soil tested. Soil Ph must be balanced for healthy plant growth. Clemson Extension has a $6 test and is great resource for soil information.
2) Soil Prep. Will you have raised beds or are you planting in the ground? You can build raised beds or buy corrugated ones from Lotus Urban Farm and Garden Supply or Amazon. I use silage tarps to kill weeds and grasses when planting rows. Try not to disturb the earthworms or other beneficials when breaking up the soil.
3) Compost. Atlas Organics is a good resource for compost. The amount of compost you use will depend on how big of a space you will have under production. Blend new compost with existing dirt. Remember to add in amendments to your soil that will help your Ph or other deficiencies.
5) Don’t plant nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers) before the last frost. The last frost date for our zone area is the third week of April.
6) Make sure you water your plants. You’ll want to keep an eye on the weather for when it rains. Don’t overwater.
