Where is Sarah visiting this week?
Watsonia Farms is a fourth-generation, organic fruit and vegetable farm located in Monetta, SC. Founded in 1918 by Joseph H. Watson, Sr., the farm started out growing asparagus. Watson also helped form the Monetta Asparagus Association, which helped the region become known as the “asparagus capital of the world” through the early 1920s. Around 1925, production shifted, and the crop became more widely grown and available in New Jersey. Because of the shift in market, Watson began planting and growing peach trees commercially and encouraging other growers in the area to do the same, helping to establish the “Ridge” as the largest area of commercial peach production in the South.
Some family history of the farm; After the passing of Joseph Sr., his wife, Mary Watson, ran the farm until their son, Jerrald A. Watson Sr., returned from WWII in 1945. Jerrold’s sons, Jerrold “Jerry” Watson Jr. and Joseph “Joe” Watson, came back to work on the farm after finishing college, and their sons Jeph (Joe) and Jed (Jerry) now also work on the family’s farm after they returned from college. Are you following all of these “J” names? That’s four generations and over 100 years of farming for the Watson Family.
In the 80s, the farm decided to diversify and began growing squash, zucchini and other vegetables and fruit. Today, they also produce tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage, peppers, sweet corn, strawberries, muscadines and cucumbers. In 2005, the farm moved into organic production and is USDA Certified Organic. Along with their organic certifications, they recently became Fair Trade Certified. If you are interested in learning more about Watsonia Farms, you can check out their website. Their products can be found in grocery stores all along the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Florida, as well as at several farmers’ markets in South Carolina and Georgia. If you are local, you can grab something from the farm stand and stop by their seasonal restaurant, “Peaches and Such,” for lunch and some yummy soft-serve ice cream (you gotta get the peach-and-strawberry swirl!). The restaurant is located at 3771 SC-23, Monetta, SC 29105.
This month’s spotlight is from Sarah Scott, Midlands Fruit and Vegetable Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 