Ralph and Linda Boyd of Boyd Cove Farms both grew up farming. Its their way of life. It’s in their blood, and it’s in their daughter Amy Sue Moore’s blood, too. Ralph, Linda, and Amy Sue run their thirty-acre family farm at 3,600 feet in Leicester, NC. The farm has been in Ralph’s family for well over 100 years, and tobacco has been the farm’s primary crop since the beginning. Now Boyd Cove Farms is producing beautiful red greenhouse tomatoes and selling them locally. So, how did this tobacco farm turn tomato farm?

The tobacco buyout bill passed by Congress last fall to end the Depression-era federal tobacco program came as no surprise to the agricultural community. Tobacco farmers, including the Boyds, had seen it coming for years. Seeing change on the horizon, the Boyds knew that if they were going to keep farming, they would have to change too. The family had invested in a 30 by 96 foot greenhouse about eight years ago to grow tobacco starts for other growers. When that plan didn’t pan out, they were left with a greenhouse that they’d invested a lot of time, energy, and money into. They applied for a grant from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project a couple of years ago to help them transition into tomato production. They received the grant and set about the business of growing tomatoes.

Their effort was met with hardship during that first year. When the costly gas heating system used in their greenhouse broke down in the middle of winter, they found their entire crop of tomatoes frozen solid. This setback was almost enough to cause them to give up on the whole thing. But instead, they decided to give it another try. As Linda Boyd says, “I don’t know if that’s stupidity or just that we’re determined we’re going to make this work!”

Their new greenhouse heating system relies on used oil gathered for free from mom and pop automotive operations in their area. The “Clean Burn” system recycles a material that doesn’t have much other use, helping their neighbors out while providing a low-cost fuel source. The Boyds are seeing the fruits of their labor now, as bright red, ripe tomatoes hang off ten-foot tall tomato plants in their greenhouse. They are proud to produce their tomatoes without the use of pesticide sprays, and they feel good about the safety of their product for themselves, their grandchildren, and the public that purchase the tomatoes. They think they’ve found a good niche by providing fresh, local tomatoes in the off-season. Their tomatoes have already found their way into Greenlife Grocery in Asheville, and they’ll hopefully turn up in other area grocery stores as well.

Ralph Boyd and Amy Sue Moore do the farming at Boyd Cove Farms, while Linda Boyd does most of the marketing. Amy Sue loved the farm as a young girl and just never stopped. She took to the land like sweet takes to honey. As her mother said, “It’s just amazing to see how she loves the land. Most people just don’t have that.” With a degree in Horticulture, Amy Sue holds the long-term vision for this family farm. She’s committed to seeing this farm to survive so she, too, can raise her children on the land. In addition to tomatoes, Boyd Cove Farms also produces lettuce in the greenhouse, and Amy Sue dreams of operating a plant nursery from the farm someday.

Ralph, Linda, and Amy Sue are hopeful about their future as a farm family, but they know it won’t be easy. They understand the only way to keep farm families in business in western North Carolina is to vote for them with local food dollars. “Otherwise these farms are going to wind up being cut up like so many farms have been around here. For a farmer, it just kills you to see it.” Linda Boyd reflects on the rewards and the challenges of keeping a small family farm going over the years. “So many people left farming for other jobs because they wanted more material comforts. But most farmers don’t look at life that way. To me, the prettiest thing is to walk out on my front porch and look down across these mountains.”

Echoing many agricultural experts’ estimates that a large percentage of tobacco farmers will exit farming as a result of the recently passed tobacco buyout, Linda Boyd said, “I think a lot of the small farms like us are just going to quit. But there’ll be some diehards like us who’ll try something new.” Boyd Cove Farms is proving there are opportunities to do something new on area farms. Now it’s our turn to prove we’re willing to support their efforts. Ask for Boyd Cove Farms’ tomatoes and other locally grown food at your grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. For Appalachian Flavor any month of the year, consult the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Local Food Guide, available for no cost at area businesses that support local farms and online at www.BuyAppalachian.org.

Libby Hinsley is the Local Food Campaign Coordinator for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. Contact her at 828-236-1282 or libby@asapconnections.org

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