Culture // 3 min Read

The Farm / Part 3

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Nov 29, 2018

Palmetto Bluff’s Farm Vision

Aspirationally, the plan for Palmetto Bluff always included a farm. We knew that as this place evolved, we would set aside land for farmed agricultural plots to enhance the visual landscape and the community’s sustainability. Now, a guiding principle defined more than a decade ago is bearing fruit (sorry, I couldn’t help it) and vegetables.

“Food and foodways are at the core of any culture,” says David O’Donoghue, Palmetto Bluff president. “For Palmetto Bluff to be an ambassador of the foodways of the Lowcountry, it requires that we look not just at presenting food (via our restaurants), but at food production. We want to understand how food is tied to this place, so we must ask what fits the geography, environment, and history of the place.”

Given the resonance of the story of food and where it comes from, both in terms of geography and history, we saw an opportunity to recapture farming practices. This does not mean that we are focused on recreating an overly romanticized nostalgic vision of the past. It means we are seeking authenticity, and authenticity means it is something real and viable in today’s world. Authenticity means that when you plant your first crop in the fall and it snows in January, you add your newfound knowledge of potential weather patterns to the story and you pick up where Mother Nature left you.

Today, we have a small but productive working farm. In 2019, we will add a full-time farmer who will look to understand and document the traditional means of farming the most viable and best-tasting varieties of food that are indigenous to the Lowcountry environment.

Focusing on outreach and education, the farm will work with the Conservancy. This will start with the members and guests of Palmetto Bluff and ultimately reach well beyond our gates. We endeavor to be a thought leader and model that helps promote the long-term sustainability of natural, local food production. This will include finding additional partner organizations to carry our learnings to a broader audience, bringing promising students to our farm, and making it possible for interested novices to learn how to both grow and prepare food in a fashion consistent with our best practices.

Additionally, as a promoter of the foodways of the Lowcountry, the Palmetto Bluff farm should be a center for excellence and documentation and celebration of other food producers in the region. We will seek out farmers, hunters, fishermen, and other craftspeople who share our vision and goals and help capture and promote their efforts as a part of our broader cultural mission.

We will supply the dining outlets on property to allow people to taste the food that is produced locally and authentically. We will celebrate great local cuisine and promote its visibility and success.

But, above all, our mission is simple: the food must taste good.

Spring 2018 Planting List

Produce:

Okra

Burgundy Okra

Black Crowder Peas

Pink-Eye peas

Purple Knuckle Peas

Sugar Peas

Hardee Peas

Texas Longhorn Peas

Louisiana Purple Pod Beans

Reverend Taylor Butterbeans

Loudermilk Butter Beans

Silver Queen Corn

ZucchIni

Charleston Gray Watermelon

Crimson Sweet Watermelon

Yellow Watermelon

Ichiban Eggplant

Purple Eggplant

Bradshaw Sweet Potatoes

Beauregard Sweet Potatoes

Cantaloupe

Cucumber

Blue Hubbard Squash

Straightneck Squash

Tomatoes:

San Marzano

Juliet Roma

Parks Whopper

Cherokee Carving

Yellow Pear Cherry

Bradley

Indigo Rose

Purple Dog Creek

Tennessee Britches

Depp’s Pink Firefly

Big Zebra

Lucky Cross

Isis Candy

Gold Medal

Big Rainbow

Matt’s Wild Cherry

Blue Ridge Mountain

indigo Blueberry

Black Icicle

Red Tommy Toe

Indian Stripe

Green Zebra

Sweet 100

Yellow Pear

Adelaide Festival

Wild Barred Boar

Peppers:

Friarielio di Napoli

FataliI

Yum Yum Orange

Yum Yum Red

Candy Cane Red

Cajun Beli

Poblano

Thai Hot

Sweet Hot

Ghost

Scotch Bonnet

Carolina Reaper

Odessa Market

Chinese Five Color

Shishito

Purple Jalapeno

Mexibell

Yellow Bell

Gypsey Sweet

Purple Beli

Garden Salsa

Combahee Red Devil

Orange Carrot

Written by Courtney Hampson

Food & Wine / Fall Recipes From Buffalos

Your Pine-ness Cocktail Recipe Before delving into the ingredients and recipe for Buffalos’ delectable Ricotta Meatballs and Sauce, it is imperative that the chef has an excellent cocktail for cooking. Pairing the sweetness of pineapple with the woody flavo...

Sep 2023
palmetto bluff neighborhoods

Real Estate / Waterfront Neighborhoods in Palmetto Bluff

Coastal Palmetto Bluff Neighborhoods Palmetto Bluff, a private community nestled along the South Carolina coastline, presents a harmonious blend of luxurious living, recreational spaces, and a vibrant atmosphere. The meticulously designed Palmetto Bluff neigh...

Sep 2023
wilson landing

Waterways / Behind the Bluff with Marina Captain: Thomas Shanahan

Meet Captain Tom of Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Landing  In the tranquil embrace of Bluffton's Lowcountry, where rivers wind their way through nature's masterpiece, an extraordinary tale unfolds at Wilson Landing of Palmetto Bluff. The story belongs to Captain Th...

Sep 2023
luxury kitchen design

Architecture & Design / Designing the Southern Kitchen of Your Dreams

Your Guide to a Luxury Kitchen Design The kitchen has long been the heart of the home, where cherished memories are cooked up and shared. When it comes to Lowcountry living, a well-designed kitchen is not just a place to prepare meals but a space that encapsu...

Sep 2023
summer bucket list

Culture / Summer Activities to Check Off Your List Before the Fall

10 Activities You Have to Cross Off Your Summer Bucket List While the days are long and the sun hangs high in the sky, summer offers a golden opportunity to create lasting memories and partake in a variety of thrilling activities. Before the cooler breeze of ...

Sep 2023

Conservation / Water Way

Palmetto Bluff is an ecological wonderland, with its maritime forest and tidal rivers, its salt marsh and abundant wildlife. But perhaps one of the most unique features of this wedge of Lowcountry is the impressive inland waterway that wends through the landsc...

Aug 2023

Artist in Residence / Places Around Palmetto Bluff to Paint Plein Air

Plein Air Painting and Our August Artist in Residence Palmetto Bluff is a paradise for art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike with its breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and serene atmosphere. With that being said, the Bluff is the perfect canvas f...

Aug 2023
coastal living

Waterways / Experience Health and Happiness By Living on the Coast

5 Health Benefits of Coastal Living Did you know that life by the coast is not only the most idyllic way to live, but it also improves your health? All in all, coastal living is a rejuvenating experience for the mind, body, and soul. From the cool, salty bree...

Aug 2023
south carolina lowcountry

Culture / 9 Enticing Facts About the Lowcountry

Discover the Charm of the South Carolina Lowcountry Where history and nature intertwine with effortless grace, the South Carolina Lowcountry is a region that allures visitors and residents alike with its timeless beauty, enchanting landscapes, and diverse cul...

Aug 2023

Conservation / Behind the Bluff with Palmetto Bluff Conservancy Educator: Aaron Palmieri

Aaron’s Journey to the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy   In the heart of the Lowcountry, where lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems flourish, lies a hidden gem known as Palmetto Bluff. This breathtaking sanctuary serves as a haven for an array of wildlife, offer...

Aug 2023
LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us