By BONNIE HESTER
Intern for The Citizen
On Thursday, June 19, the Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) held their fourth annual “Farm to Table” event at Minter’s Farm, located off Ga. Highway 92 South in Inman. The event consisted of a dinner prepared for guests by local chefs from only fresh and locally grown produce.
The food was so fresh, in fact, that much of it had been harvested within 24 to 48 hours prior to the event, according to SCT member Meredith Martin.
During the meal, guests could participate in a silent auction with items donated from over 50 businesses, as well as a live auction of a few special items and a raffle for a two-night retreat at Bogle Farms outside LaGrange, Ga.
At right, above, Rick Minter, owner of Minter’s Farm, takes Farm to Table guests on a tour of the premises. Photo/Bonnie Hester.
Examples of items up for auction include an antique silver necklace, tickets for four people to the Georgia Aquarium and a gift certificate for horseback riding lessons at Windy Oaks Farm. Martin commented that due to the large number of donors and items involved, planning for this event was underway as early as January of this year.
This fundraiser draws in between $20,000 and $25,000 every year, according to SCT executive director Pam Young. Most of the money collected will go to maintaining and expanding the STC’s public nature areas in Fayette County, such as Line Creek and The Ridge, Young said.
“We want to maintain our great community and quality of life,” she continued, adding that in order to do so, the SCT uses events like the Farm to Table fundraiser not only to raise money, but also to educate people about the importance of caring for the environment.
This is the fourth year that the event has been held, and every year thus far, Rick Minter, owner of Minter’s Farm, has invited the SCT to use his property. When asked why, Minter stated, “I really believe in what they do.”
Below, Southern Conservation Trust member Pam Young (center) welcomes Farm to Table guests Cornwall Kirkpatrick (L) and Linda Kirkpatrick. Photo/Bonnie Hester.
This comes as no surprise when one considers that Minter is a ninth generation farmer, and that he and his family have owned and operated Minter’s Farm continuously since 1936. Minter is currently transitioning to full organic production and sells most of his produce at the Peachtree City Farmer’s Market, but customers can also purchase food directly at the farm.
The fundraiser was well-attended, with over 150 guests present. Guests expressed their support for the SCT’s purpose by offering high bids for many items, ensuring that the event was a success for the organization.
Guest Rutledge Wood of Senoia, whose name may be familiar as co-host of the History Channel’s “Top Gear” or from NASCAR RaceDay on Fox Sports 1, not only bought auction items, but also offered up a surprise item for live auction: two club level tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Labor Day at Atlanta Motor Speedway, netting the SCT almost an additional $1,000.
Wood explained that he strongly believes in supporting local farms, stating that “to have a farm like (Minter’s Farm) nearby is so special,” and that he and his family “visit every chance we get.”
To learn more about the Southern Conservation Trust, visit their website at http://sctlandtrust.org.
For information about Minter’s Farm, go online to http://mintersfarm.com or to Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MintersFarm.
Below, Rick Minter, owner of Minter’s Farm, and his granddaughter Abigail Adamek examine a home-grown tomato. Photo/Bonnie Hester.
