Gala in the Garden
November 3, 2018
Seventy degrees and sunny, the perfect North Texas fall day. We sold out our first ever outdoor Gala in the Garden at Water Boy Farms weeks earlier and a dozen people were scattered on the farm, deep into event preparation for the night, with a little black cloud overhead; the forecast called for 90% severe storms at 8pm, exactly the time of our live auction. With nothing to do about it (but worry), we forged ahead and sure enough, the rain held off until 9:30 when the evening had wound down and guests were on their way home. We owe you one, Mother Nature!
Water Boy Farms, home and farm of Seed Project Foundation founder Rick Wells, is the site of many of our events but this was our first true gala on the property. We decided that all proceeds from the event would benefit our Farm Crisis Fund, dedicated to helping our local farmers and ranchers through times of natural disaster or economic crisis. The Farm Crisis Fund Board is made up of Kaci and Robert Lyford of Patina Green Home and Market, Amanda Vanhoozier of Bishop Hills Flower Farm, Matt Hamilton of Local Yocal, Megan Neubauer of Pure Land Farm and Executive Director of the Seed Project Foundation, Andrea Shackelford of Harvest, and Rick Wells, our host.
At each food station, a farmer was on hand to chat with guests and show off their products. Our featured farmers were Nelson Carter of Cartermere Farms, Jeff and Lee Bednar from Profound Microfarm, Jack Neubauer from Pure Land Farm, Marie Tedei from Eden’s Organic CSA and Garden Center, Scott Galyon from K Bar K, and Steve and Lyn Horton from N&P Farm and Dairy.
Local Hootenanny string band The Bodarks played in the barnyard while guests listened and mingled. As the evening wound down, Robert Lyford and Pam Thibodeaux of Patina Green Home and Market blowtorched the meringue on pumpkin spice cake balls and handed them out.
At the end of the day, the Farm Crisis Fund was infused with over $125,000. When disaster strikes, we will be ready to help our farmers stay in business. If you are a North Texas farmer in need of aid, apply here. You can help us support our farmers and local food system with a donation today!
