At the Edge of the Tide: Protecting Coastal Lands Through Food, Farming, and Shared Story
- Belinda Jones
- May 1
- 5 min read
Along the shores of South Carolina, the land tells a story—one shaped by tides, time, and the hands of those who have cared for it. Yet today, that story faces growing challenges. Coastal erosion steadily reshapes the shoreline. Overdevelopment places pressure on fragile ecosystems. Marshes, maritime forests, and waterways—once abundant and resilient—are increasingly vulnerable.
To protect these landscapes is to protect more than scenery. It is to safeguard wildlife habitats, preserve biodiversity, and honor the cultural traditions rooted in this environment. From migratory birds to native plant systems, the coastal ecosystem depends on careful stewardship. And that responsibility belongs to all of us.
Bird Watching Encourages Wildlife Habitat Conservation
The themes of the evening are deeply aligned with the work of J. Drew Lanham—environmentalist, ornithologist, and author of The Home Place.
This event invites guests into a meaningful, multi-sensory experience—one that brings together land, food, and story in a powerful way.
Inspired by The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham, the evening reflects on what it means to truly belong to a place—and what it asks of us in return.
Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars for a short, guided birdwatching activity as you walk around the property. This will offer insight into the agricultural practices that sustain both land and livelihood at Morning Glory Homestead Farm—where stewardship is not an abstract idea, but a daily commitment and this understanding is at the heart of our work. Our Field to Fork event series was created as a space to gather, learn, and engage deeply with the land—exploring how stewardship and conservation must be practiced in both large-scale efforts and everyday decisions. Whether through farming, education, or shared meals, we believe these conversations are essential and ongoing.
As the twilight approaches and the aroma of Carolina Gold rice , Sea Island red peas, and other local favorites fills the evening air, we are honored to welcome Rollen and Frances Chalmers of Rollen’s Raw Grains—farmers, preservationists, and storytellers whose work bridges past and present through the land.
Rollen Chalmers is more than a grower of heirloom crops; he is a steward of living history. Through his careful cultivation of Carolina Gold rice and Sea Island red peas, and other grains , he carries forward agricultural traditions rooted in the ingenuity and knowledge of Gullah Geechee ancestors. Each grain and each harvest tells a story—of resilience, adaptation, and deep connection to coastal land and water.
Alongside him, Frances Chalmers brings a shared vision grounded in care—for the soil, for the ecosystems that sustain it, and for the communities that depend on it. Together, they practice a form of agriculture that honors environmental conservation, habitat preservation, and responsible land stewardship, ensuring that what is grown today will nourish generations to come.
Their work is not driven primarily by numbers, but by intention. They farm with awareness of the delicate balance between cultivation and conservation—protecting native habitats, respecting seasonal rhythms, and preserving biodiversity in a region where land and culture are inseparable.
A Kindred Spirit: In the Tradition of J. Drew Lanham
We read The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature and found in many ways, Rollen’s work echoes the voice and vision of the author, J. Drew Lanham—a man who also understands that the land is not simply a resource, but a relationship.
Like Lanham, Rollen has a deep attentiveness to place. Both men are:
· Observers of nature’s rhythms — whether watching birds in flight or reading the health of soil and water
· Storykeepers of the land — preserving narratives that connect Black identity, ecology, and heritage
· Advocates for conservation — recognizing that environmental care is inseparable from cultural survival
· Bridges between science and spirit — blending practical knowledge with a reverence for the beauty and meaning found in the natural world
Where Lanham writes and speaks of birds, biodiversity, and belonging, Rollen expresses those same values through seed, soil, and sustenance. Both are part of a lineage of Black environmental thinkers who reclaim the narrative of land as a place of connection, dignity, and stewardship, rather than exploitation.
We have visited Rollen’s Raw Grains store, taken a tour of his fields and listened to the stories of his work. Rollen is not just a farmer—he is a keeper of seed, soil, and story. Through his work with heirloom grains and legumes, he preserves crops that are deeply tied to Gullah Geechee history and the agricultural knowledge of African-descended people in the Lowcountry. His approach to farming reflects a deep commitment to land stewardship, environmental conservation, and habitat preservation, ensuring that what is grown today honors both the past and the future.
Like J. Drew Lanham, Rollen sees the land as more than a resource—it is a relationship. His work connects culture, ecology, and community in a way that is both rooted and forward-looking.
Saturday,May 30th, as we lead a birding activity, share a meal and gather around the campfire, Rollen and Frances will invite you to do more than eat—they will encourage and likely inspire you to remember. To taste history. To honor the land. And to consider our own role in preserving both.
Their presence reminds us that food is not just nourishment—it is heritage, habitat, and hope.
As a special part of the evening, guests will have the chance to receive thoughtfully curated door prizes, including:
A copy of The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham
Bird feed to begin or enhance your own backyard habitat
Heirloom grain products from Rollen’s Raw Grain
Farm-raised honey and fresh eggs from Morning Glory Homestead Farm
The campfire supper itself will be a celebration of heritage and flavor, featuring:
Carolina Gold rice and Sea Island red peas
Pork cuts from Marvin Ross of Peculiar Pig Farm
Pasture-raised poultry from Morning Glory Homestead Farm
A featured dish in honor of the 50th anniversary of The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis
Fresh baked breads, seasonal desserts, and soft beverages
Every dish tells a story—of land, legacy, and the people committed to preserving both.
✨ Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
We invite you to visit the Morning Glory Homestead Farm website to reserve your place and purchase tickets.
Come be part of an evening where conservation meets culture, and where every guest becomes part of the story.
Comments