RALEIGH, N.C. — There's a phenomenon in gardening known as sleep, creep and leap.

The first year seeds take root, the second year you see them begin to grow and finally you can reap the benefits of your hard work in year three.

The Raleigh City Farm just took the leap in 2022.

What You Need To Know

  • The Raleigh City Farm harvested over 12,000 pounds of food in 2022

  • Fifty percent of what is harvested on the farm is donated to the community

  • The farm hosts classes and internships about food growth

“For us it really means an increase in a lot of productivity in the plants. All the beds were in production, and by the summer time this whole site was totally full. It was really wonderful to see," Farm Manager Maria Williford said.

Williford joined the team in 2021 to help carry out the three-year plan the farm began in 2020.

The first year the farm harvested 2,500 pounds of produce and 5,000 pounds the following year.

But in its leap year the team harvested 12,000 pounds of food.

“For us, it’s a balance of we really pushed it to the limit of how much we could do," Williford said. "We could probably do more, but also the focus is how we do this in a way that is sustainable.” 

Fifty percent of what is harvested on the farm is put right back into the community through farm share partners that feed those in need. 

In the winter months, the generosity grows.

“Anywhere from mid-November to mid-April, we donate all of our produce. And so all the produce that we harvest at this time of year goes to our farm share partners," Williford said.

The adopted plan goes deeper than just the plants grown here. 

The farm is also investing in education programs, bringing in groups to tour the facilities and even running their internship program. 

They are hoping to put the power back in the consumer's hand. 

“We don’t have to be running a 1.3-acre farm. We can farm in our window seal. We can farm in containers. We can grow our own food, and having that power is of being in control of your food source can be very empowering," Executive Director Lisa Grele Barrie said.

Alleviating some of the concern about where someone's next meal might come from, makes their new strategic plans even more worthwhile.  

“It really restores my faith in the power of community," Williford said. "And it’s something that really inspires me about this kind of work is there is something tangible that you can do for yourself, for your family, and for us on a bigger scale.”