By Donna Bowen
From butter beans and sorghum to heirloom fruits and regionally treasured vegetables, Southern heritage crops carry stories of family traditions, cultural identity and local foodways.
They may also hold economic potential.
Clemson University is inviting farmers, chefs, agricultural service providers and others interested in the future of local food systems to explore those possibilities during a free webinar, Explore New Farming Opportunities with Southern Heritage Crops, on Tuesday, July 7.
The virtual event is the first in a planned series offered through Clemson’s Southern Heritage Crops Project, which explores how heirloom crops with historical and cultural ties to the South can contribute to farm profitability, culinary innovation and regional food system development.
“This webinar is designed to begin a regional conversation about how Southern heritage crops can become a viable part of farm and food business strategies,” Lamie said. “By bringing together farmers, researchers, chefs, food system partners and agricultural service providers, we hope to identify opportunities for future research, outreach and collaboration.”
Source : clemson.edu