Nestled behind a busy highway in Jackson County is a small organic farm in the St. Martin community that feeds the Galloway family, but it also feeds the curiosity of the groups who come to visit.
Tracy Galloway, a third-generation farmer, grows just about everything on his farm in pots, raised beds and in the ground. Lush green plants grow wherever he — or they — can find a place.
Galloway Family Farm near Ocean Springs, a nonprofit education center, offers tours to school groups, church groups and anyone else who wants to visit and get a feel for what a farm looks like.
"We work a lot with at-risk youth and community development," Galloway said.
He has more than 3,000 plants on a 1-acre plot, next door to the home where he was raised. His grandmother Emma Lee McDaniel-Galloway, who had a sixth-grade education, was an astute businesswoman and helped feed the Ocean Springs community during the Great Depression.
"My grandmother said there are three things you must do: Always have a garden, always have fruit-bearing trees and always raise animals you like to eat," Galloway said. "She said, 'Boy, you may not always eat what you want to, but you'll never see a hungry day.' It makes sense to me."
That's what Galloway hopes to share his family's wisdom with the people who come to visit his farm, which also is an education center, where Galloway teaches guests about how food is grown and how eating better can lead to better health.
"Food and water does not come from 3 Bs and a C. It doesn't come from a box, a bag, a bottle or a can," he said. "It comes from the earth. People in general are disconnected from food."
On the farm, Galloway said he can walk 120 feet from his doorstep and gather at least 22 items from the garden to put into a salad, including chicken.
"We have everything we need," he said. "It's been life-changing for me."
In addition to the tours, Galloway Farm offers farm-to-table dinners, rustic camping and other events.
The entire family pitches in to help in one way or another. Galloway's wife, Rose, who is from Kenya, makes tea from hibiscus to offer guests each day, and the couple's children and grandchildren pitch in wherever they can.
Galloway wastes nothing. Botanical debris is returned to the earth for compost or mulch. Wood, rocks and roadside finds are turned into works of art or containers for the next crop.
"There's a lot going on in this one acre," Galloway said.
Galloway, who is retired after more than 30 years in civil service, is living his dream, which is something his father, Calvin Galloway, encouraged him to do.
"My father always said, 'Make memories, not dreams,'" he said.
If you go
Galloway Family Farm is at 13325 Solomon Road, Ocean Springs.
To book a tour or other event at Galloway Family Farm, contact Tracy Galloway at Tracy.galloway@yahoo.com or 315-408-2612.
For more information, visit gwayfamilyfarm.com or facebook.com/GallowayFamilyFarm.
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
Most Popular
Comments / 0