Interview with Freddie Collins

Dakota Collins wasn’t celebrating the last day of school like most 4th graders (soon to be a 5th grader). He came home, changed into his work clothes and headed to the fields to fertilize the potatoes. That’s where I found him and his Dad, Freddie Collins when I drove up to their 10 acre farm in the Track Rock region of Union County at the end of May.

Freddie has been a farmer all his life. This is truly a family operation with his wife, Julie, being the third leg of the workforce tripod. Julie walked down to the fields from the house with Grayson, their second child, just 14 months old, to join us for the interview. There was an amazing grace that exuded from this hard working family. When I asked young Dakota if he’d rather be doing something else, he assured me not. He loves working the fields. Funny, it was just about the same thing his Dad answered when I asked him the same question a little later.

How many acres do you farm? What crops do you have?

Just about 10 acres. This year we we’ll be harvesting collards, cabbage, sweet corn (4 varieties), potatoes, bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, beets, half runner and pole beans, yellow squash, cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, okra, peas.

Is this your vocation or a hobby?

Oh, this is definitely my vocation.

(Julie) When I have time, I make earrings and sell them at the Farmers Market.

What’s the biggest challenge you face every growing season?

I’d have to say the weather. Well, and the price of fertilizer.

Are you superstitious about your planting date?

No, not at all.

Do you have a secret weapon to insure the best crop?

The Lord. If he don’t bless it – we don’t have it.

How many hours a week do you spend in the fields?

50+ hours, I’d say. More during harvest. Getting it ready for market is very time consuming. We wash all the produce before we take it to market.

In Nature, who’s your best friend?

A balance of sun and rain.

Who’s your worst enemy?

Bugs. Groundhogs and those types of critters. Black Bear. They know exactly when the corn is ready and they’ll wipe out a few rows in an evening. We tried to deter them with music. Didn’t work. The raccoons dance to it!

If you weren’t a farmer, what would you like to attempt?

Probably be a veterinarian.

What’s your favorite tool or piece of equipment?

My tractor. Massey Ferguson 1985

What’s the secret to picking a ripe watermelon?

Have you ever had a yellow melon? (I haven’t) They are the best. You can tell they are ripe by the creamy color on the bottom, where they rest on the ground.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about farmers?

That we make a lot of money!

(Julie) People think all farmers are rich!

What do you like best about the Farmer’s Market or what does it mean to you to have it here?

It’s great to have it here at home.

This is a second in a series of interviews we will be bringing you of the growers that sell their goods at the Union County Farmers Market.  Interviews are archived.  Just click the hyperlinked names in the left column to read past interviews .