Sar· Reynolds Green

Sar· Reynolds Green sits on a chair, at a table scaled to fit a fifth grader, in the same public elementary school she attended in the 1950s as the daughter of a farming family on St. Helena Island. She is taking a morning break from her official job as school guidance counselor to talk about her work as Director of the Marshview Organic Community Farm, a community supported agricultural farm (CSA) she started on her family's property.

A long row of clean rubber boots, also scaled to fifth graders, stand in proud formation at the front of the classroom. With contagious enthusiasm, Sar· (pronounced Sa-RAH) explains, "Last Friday we took the class on the first of four visits to Marshview. It's an innovative part of the fifth grade curriculum to study the island's ecosystem and learn "hands on" science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM). They measured the perimeter of the fields, took water and soil samples, discovered natural habitats and planted seedlings in the greenhouse. We planted 20 trays, with 200 cells [the size of quarters] with spinach, cucumber, watercress, squash, broccoli and sunflowers. This program-and the boots-were supported by a grant we received for $2,000 to "Champions of the Environment".  She smiles ebulliently and takes a necessary breath. The students will take three more trips during the spring: to transplant the seedlings; to weed and water the young plants; and to harvest and distribute. 

 "It's wonderful to take these kids outside and let them learn in an environment where all their senses are being stimulated. They live in the midst of this rich natural sea island and don't know what's around them. I want them to learn how to use what nature provides for us to live and to respect this land that belongs to them."

Sar·'s passion was always to teach; but not on St. Helena and not on a farm. "When I was young I couldn't wait to leave this island."  Sar· has energetic black curls set off by dangly pearl earrings and a matching necklace. She is wearing a stylish cropped jacket and full skirt. She has the sophistication of a woman who "got away" to Atlanta, graduated from Spellman College and built her professional life, married and had one son before returning to St. Helena in 1989. She is not your typical farm girl.

What Sar·, her two sisters, a younger and older brother all chose to leave was the farm that had been in the family since Sar·'s great, great grandfathers, on her paternal and maternal side, each bought 20 acres of contiguous land in 1892. "My family had money and a brick house because of the cash crops we produced from this land. It put me and my two sisters through college. But it was hard, back-breaking work." Sar· recalls being as young as three or four, and wearing a big apron with a pocket for seeds. "I followed my brothers and sisters up and down those long rows. They turned the dirt and spread the chicken manure. Then I put two seeds in each little hole. It had to be two in case one didn't germinate." Life got a little better when she turned ten and was allowed to drive the tractor and truck. Sar· shakes her head, "For us, 'a long row to hoe' wasn't just a saying. We lived it day after day. I couldn't wait to get away."

And she did. But life changed. In 1989 her mother was ailing and there was a dispute over the land. Sar· came home. "I know I was led," she says quietly.  In the last two decades she has built a life that combines her passion for teaching, her reverence for her native land, her dedication to producing healthy, organic food and her commitment to sustainable farming methods that protect the environment and support the small rural farms on St. Helena Island. Sar· is a feminine force with a mission and a calling.

 She secured organic certification for five acres of her family's farmland and, in partnership with Young Farmers of the Low-Country, she started Marshview Organic Community Farm which provides organic produce to local businesses and shareholders.*  Students from St. Helena work on the farm on weekends and during the summer. They earn a stipend and give back a portion of their time and service to the community and the farm.

"The farm teaches so much. After I left, I realized I could accomplish anything because I knew what hard work was. You can take any challenge and break it down-one row to hoe at a time. I want these kids to know they can do and be anything they want."

As she talks there is a timeless and tranquil power and beauty to her face and essence-like the land that claims her.

Up Close:

Just Married: Bill Green, owner of Gullah Grub restaurant, on Oct. 18, 2010. When they first looked at each other it was "binnnngggggg!!!"

Courting technique: Bill asked some of the kids who worked on the farm to take her a specially baked mullet.

Children: One son, a pharmacy technician in the army.

Most Important life lesson: Respect yourself, respect others, have a love for God.

*If you are interested in becoming a shareholder call Marshview Organic Community Farm: 843-473-0477.