Human + Nature: Margaret Harrison

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the different shades of red, orange, and yellow that appear all around. The Upstate has so many beautiful areas during the fall season. The Fred W. Symmes Chapel (also known as “Pretty Place” Chapel) one of the most beautiful places in the Upstate, is especially beautiful during the fall season. The views from the chapel are breathtaking, in my opinion. I remember a couples retreat that my husband and I attended at Pretty Place one fall. I remember looking out and observing how beautiful the colors of the fall landscape were. That experience is one I will hold near and dear to my heart. 

Fall is also a time of year that I can continue doing what I love. I am a farmer in Pelzer, SC. Throughout the year, I plant seasonal vegetables. In the fall, I harvest the sweet potatoes that my husband and I planted. My husband Bryant and I have been farming for more than 30 years. He started at a very young age. We started a small company called H & G Produce, where we grow and sell fresh produce at different markets, including the Swamp Rabbit Café & Grocery. I enjoy seeing plants grow and producing food of my own effort. It's just a blessing to see how you can sustain yourself. The question: Where would we be if we didn't farm?

This story was initially published in the Upstate Advocate, a twice-yearly print newsletter produced by Upstate Forever, as part of a piece called "Human + Nature: Ten Upstate Residents Share How the Natural World Shapes Their Lives." View the full issue (PDF)