By Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program

We were so honored to welcome John Paul and Eloise DeJoria to our farm last week. The visit was a great opportunity to celebrate Grow Appalachia and represent the amazing work of all the Partner Sites. We worried the thunderstorms would force the celebration inside, but the sun shone down on the farm as our friends from Growing Warriors, Kentucky Proud, and other agencies began to arrive.

It was a beautiful day for photos.

When the caravan escorting the special guests pulled down the farm drive, we gathered near the healing garden to shake hands and say hello. We welcomed John Paul, Eloise, Tommy, and their friends with a short explanation about our program. Then, everyone explored the farm, took lots of photos, and even picked some garlic.

Picking some garlic during the visit.

We gathered for a casual dinner under the Contemplation Pavilion. The meal featured vegetables, berries, herbs, and other produce from Berea College, Growing Warriors, Grimaldo Farms, Blizzard Hill Farm, and our gardens.

Our meal under the pavilion. Image courtesy of Grow Appalachia’s Facebook Album

Many of you have asked us to share recipes for the dishes served during the event. We’re pulling together this information and will make a post with links to all the recipes very soon.

The food. Photo credit: Jessie Anderson, Berea College, via Grow Appalachia’s Facebook page.

It truly was a day to remember. We’re so proud to be part of this Grow Appalachia family!

Wonderful memories were created!

Be sure to read some of the other blog posts about the big day. You’ll find them here and here.