Farm

Community Spotlight: Meet the Local Farmers of Kiawah River

At Kiawah River, the land isn’t just scenic, it’s part of a vibrant agricultural ecosystem shaped by a community of local farmers. These passionate growers, makers and caretakers, from right here on Johns Island to nearby Wadmalaw Island, contribute to our agrihood’s dynamic culture with their fresh produce, pasture-raised meats and handmade goods. Many of them partner with Kiawah River through markets, workshops and educational experiences, building meaningful connections with residents and visitors.

In this Community Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce you to the farmers whose work helps nourish not only the community but the land itself.

Kelly and Dale Fort, Pluff Mudd Farm
Tucked near the goat dairy at Kiawah River, Kelly and Dale Fort are the fiber-loving duo behind Pluff Mudd Farm. With roots in farming and a passion for fiber arts, the couple raises pygora goats and sheep for mohair and wool and grows indigo for natural dyeing. Their indigo-dyed products, crafted from farm-grown materials, are available at Rosebank Farms. Kelly, a longtime fiber artist, brings color to life with their dye garden, while Dale adds a creative twist with his wood-turned crafts, also using farm-grown dyes. Their no-till, wool-lined indigo beds are a beautiful blend of biodiversity, sustainability and creativity, proving that even farming can be an art form.

John Warren, Spade and Clover Gardens
John Warren is the heirloom vegetable whisperer behind Spade and Clover Gardens, where he grows everything from rainbow chard to ginger with a deep commitment to sustainability. After trading his NYC life for an apprenticeship on a Rhode Island farm, he returned to his native South Carolina to dig into the soil full-time. John’s approach is thoughtful and ecological, using cover crops, pollinator habitats and biodegradable products to protect the land. His favorite Kiawah River memory? Harvesting chard in the rain, surrounded by ibises and tree frogs, only to look up and spot a rainbow!

Casey Price, Jeremiah Farm & Goat Dairy
Meet Casey Price of Jeremiah Farm & Goat Dairy, a passionate educator, cheesemaker and regenerative farmer located just up the road on Johns Island. Alongside her husband Tom, Casey raises goats for raw milk, grows herbs and seasonal produce, and teaches cheese- and soap-making classes at the farm, as well as at The Dunlin. With a mission rooted in sustainability and self-reliance, she practices grazing, crop rotation, composting and dry farming – all on 12 acres of thoughtfully managed land. Silvopasture is a farming method where trees, pasture, and grazing animals are combined on the same land to benefit each other and the environment. One of her most memorable moments was hosting a “Top Chef”-style cheesemaking competition at The Dunlin for sales executives from across the country.

The work of all three of these farms (and many more!) is a reminder that sustainability thrives when rooted in collaboration, creativity and care, and we are proud to nurture and celebrate that spirit at Kiawah River.