Friends of the farm,

The storms of summer have brought both growth and destruction. Our hearts go out to those affected by flooding in the Triangle, and we have been moved by the strength and resilience of this community. If you'd like to donate supplies, time, or money to relief, take a look through the links below. 

Saxapahaw Flood Relief

Triangle Mutual Aid

We've found joy in the small things that bring us together. Former DCF field crew member Kaitlyn Elliott, now the Water Quality Program Manager for the Haw River Assembly, set up a pick-up site for free well water testing on DCF's front lawn. Last week, we celebrated our second year of partnership with the Heirloom Collard Project and learned collard seed keeping techniques and stories with Chris Keeve. McGinty Fellow Roo and Student Field Crew Manager Lauren took part in a food security panel with Re[dine] to discuss food security and redistribution in Durham. Izzy's baby girl Frances turned 1! 

There's much to look forward to and more to harvest. We'll send you off with a note from our field crew member, Harini, who has some recipes to share for all of those cherry tomatoes popping up lately, and an invite to our last few summer Community Work Days. Stay nourished, safe, and hopeful.

Cheers,

Christina Ferrari, Sloss Fellow

DCF crew member Abby Walden and work trader Amylyn De-Paz De-Paz cherish the appearance of a double rainbow after the rain cleared at our collard seed keeping event. 

Harini + part of the purple potato harvest

As a first-year MBA student at Fuqua, spending my summer on a farm wasn’t what I expected, but it’s exactly where I’m meant to be. I wanted to explore a potential career as a private chef, and DCF turned out to be the perfect place to start that journey. 

Working at the farm has led to a joyful, holistic experience. It’s given me the opportunity to connect with local food systems, learn where my produce comes from, and highlight the beautiful seasonal veg in my recipes! (Posted on my Substack- alltherightflavors). There’s something grounding about spending time in the dirt each day- it’s an experience that rejuvenates child-like wonder. 

This summer has shaped my time at Duke in meaningful ways, particularly by teaching me to build relationships through food. I’ve loved partnering with my classmate Sydney McAuliffe (MBA ‘26) on her company, Poppy’s Challah, for our Summer Shabbat series. Bringing people together to break bread and build community has been a highlight. Many of the meals I serve are made with farm produce that I’m fortunate to bring home. At the beginning of each dinner, we discuss the importance of supporting our local farmers and reflect on the role that food plays in uniting us. It’s been a delight to see fellow students and staff discover connections between our everyday lives and sustainable local agriculture. 

As I look forward to my next year at Duke, I plan to stay involved at the farm, spending time with my brilliant (and wonderful) DCF team members, and continuing to learn from the land. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward while also telling everyone about DCF and the incredible work happening here, and, someday, opening a restaurant rooted in community and local agriculture!

- Harini Ilamurugu

After the onions dried in the prop house, community work day volunteers sorted for size and checked for rot. 

Our summer community workdays, held every Thursday morning from 9-12am, are an essential part of keeping things running at DCF. Our students, volunteers, and staff consistently say that their most memorable memories at DCF are the conversations they shared over a wheelbarrow of mulch or while tackling weeds in a bed of carrots together.

Absolutely no farming experience is necessary, and all are warmly welcomed to attend.

Stay tuned for more details to come! All are welcome.

WHEN: August 11th through 15th, 9am-12pm

WHERE: DCF's cat tunnels, filled with cherry tomatoes 

Be sure to check out our Instagram (@dukecampusfarm) for pricing and logistics.

Field crew member Braden Scherting mows down the cover crop of sunflowers, buckwheat, and cow peas to prepare for an additional seeding of buckwheat. Farm manager Izzy says "the fibrous sunflowers create excellent mulch for the buckwheat to germinate".

At the Duke Campus Farm, we seek to catalyze positive change in the food system. In addition to offering healthy, seasonal, sustainable produce to our community, we work to grow climate and food systems  leaders with the tools to navigate a quickly changing landscape.

Now more than ever, we rely on the generosity of our community to continue offering sustainably grown food, and food systems education, to those in our network. If you are interested in supporting our work, we welcome your financial gift here.

Stay in touch with the Duke Campus Farm by following us on socials.