Meet Joseph and Helen Fields of Joseph Fields Farm

      Posted On: May 23, 2017

John’s Island, South Carolina is home to Joseph and Helen Fields, stewards of the land and produce at Joseph Fields Farm, a 50 acre organically certified farm. Joseph was born and raised in John’s Island, and is a third generation farmer dedicated to his craft and community.

Joseph Fields Farm has shared its harvests at farmers markets for well over 20 years, and sells at 4-5 farmers markets, including Savannah’s Forsyth Farmers Market.

The Fields were recently recognized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History, with the inclusion of one their farm’s signs exhibited on the D.C. museum’s fourth floor.

The Fields are as well-known for their crops as they are their big hearts, acting as friendly and knowledgeable sources on market days. Joseph Fields Farm participates in market incentive nutrition programs, and accept Healthy Bucks and SNAP/EBT customers. Helen believes that farmers markets offer crucial food accessibility, and to the Fields, market involvement means nobody is left out.

“Farmers markets are very important because we reach a different variety of people. Cards, cash, SNAP/EBT, Healthy bucks, you name it. Nobody is missed and everybody gets a chance to enjoy our bounty.”

Nutrition incentive programs are a win-win all around. The programs financially support participating farmers, while opening up nutrition education and healthy food options to low income customers. Farmers markets are places of intersection- where need can be met and personal exchanges are abundantly meaningful.

The Fields and other nutrition incentive participating farmers get it- everyone benefits when we eat local, think local, love local.