Местная фермерша Шерон Фандербёрк представит свою четырехтомную книгу «Записки с фермы» в доме Виктора Смолла

Local farmer Sharon Funderburk will read some samples from her seasonal four volume collection “Notes from the Farm” Sunday Sept. 27 at the Victor R. Small House. Each volume represents a season and chronicles life at Beartrack Farms, located in Turkey, which Funderburk has owned since 2010 and lived on since 2013. The volumes came out on the first day of their respective seasons, on either the equinox or solstice last year, starting on the Spring Equinox March 20, 2025. Winter was delayed due to the author’s health and came out this past February. During a recent interview with the farmer, Funderburk went around to her animals, feeding, watering and letting the chickens out of their coop. She has dogs, geese, chicken, goats, sheep, and a cat. When arriving to the sheep enclosure, she found one who, sadly, didn’t make it through the night. “That’s farming,” the author said with a sigh, emphasizing that the sheep appeared fine the night before, but this was an example of why she wanted to write “Notes from the Farm.” “A lot of farm blogs just write the happy farm stuff,” shared Funderburk, noting she never wanted her writing to be a highlight reel. Instead, the author said she wanted to give an accurate picture of what it is like to own a farm, and the realities of the day-to-day. What started during Covid has continued, and is mainly a way to connect with her buying club, Funderburk stated. During the pandemic the farmer had a small buying club in Wilmington where she would take eggs and baked goods, the recipes which are incorporated into her books. One week she would take something sweet, and one week savory, within the restraints of having a USDA inspected kitchen, but not a full commercial one. Funderburk explained how important the buying club was during Covid because it became a safer way when people were wary of the grocery store. The farmer began writing essays about what happened on the farm that week, and shared that intially the writing began utilitarian “with the buying club in mind,” allowing the chance for members to read about where the goods in which they were purchasing came. The essays became “a bright spot during Covid,” and eventually Funderburk thought that people might appreciate having the essays in a book. “I kept writing because it maintained my connection to my community during illness,” the author shared about the last 18 months that she has had less mobility and therefore less direct links with her community. Her writing, she said, has provided a way to keep in contact. The books have stories and recipes. Funderburk shared that the “recipes didn’t originate with me but I have modified them all so they have become mine,” and she noted that many had been family recipes that now have her own twist. At the Sept. 27 event, the author will read a short selection from each season, take questions, and sign copies.There will be refreshments, some of which the author plans to make from recipes in the books. “Everyone is welcome,” emphasized Funderburk, stressing she would love to see other female farmers attend. The author explained that a huge part of why she tried not to write only happy farm stuff is because “when you depend on the outcome everything matters.” The author wanted an accurate picture of life on her farm, even though people will say “people don’t want to see that.” “I think it’s important to show what really happens,” the farmer stressed. Funderburk shared her hopes of her experiences reaching a bigger audience. “Customer loyalty is great, but bringing in a new generation is hard,” explained the farmer, sharing that she hopes her stories can expand the scope of the farm, and show more people the different ways life on a farm can look. “I wasn’t born here, and I didn’t grow up here, but I was born and raised in a small farming community in North Carolina,” shared Funderburk about her experience and how she wants to help others expand their idea of farm life. Funderburk continues to write, and releases weekly essays on her Substack on Sundays. She will share excerpts Sept. 27 at the Small House.