“Locally grown” is a term that gets thrown around often, and with increasing dependency on imported oil and other products, homegrown produce doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. The Wise family has been in the region for three quarters of a century and continues to provide a consistent supply of quality fruits and veggies to the Triangle and surrounding areas.
The farm and family
In 1941, Gary Wise’s grandfather, Ivey, and a great uncle bought and split roughly 100 acres of fertile farmland situated just outside Mt. Olive, N. C. The men raised hogs and grew tobacco and a small amount of produce to send to farmers’ markets in the area.
Wise’s father, William, jumped into farming at a very early age and later worked as a welder for North Carolina Natural Gas, but he eventually returned to Mt. Olive to carry on the family business.
Gary Wise worked on the farm until he graduated from high school and headed to N.C. State to earn degrees in history and political science. While a student at State, Wise worked for Technician as an editorial writer and opinion columnist. The Wise’s ties to the school remain strong, as Gary Wise’s brother-in-law, Randy Lait, is the senior director of Hospitality Services at N.C. State and a member of the Class of 1983.
After graduation, Wise taught economics for three years at Southern Wayne High School and only farmed during the summer months. After marrying his wife Teresa in 1994, Wise left education and settled down in the house between his father and grandfather’s properties to farm full-time.
“Full-time farming is a blast,” Wise said. “We’re extremely lucky to have made a living on farming. We’re small, so sometimes we get ignored, and that hurts more than people would think. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
They most certainly are lucky. Wise and his family have watched farm after farm fail and often credit the close relationship with N.C. State as the reason they’ve avoided the same fate.
“One of our favorite things is the Brickyard farmers market,” Wise said. “We don’t make much money, but we get so much business from N.C. State grads who have opened their own businesses.”
As produce farmers who grow crops year-round, the Wise family knows a thing or two about sustainability.
“We’re committed to preserving the land for generations to come,” Wise said. “We really try to stick to practicing sustainable agricultural procedures.”
Crop rotation, the method of rotating the planting of crops from different families over a two-to-three-year period first used by the ancient Romans, has proven to be an invaluable means of sustainability. As well as serving as a viable means of pest control, crop rotation maintains soil fertility, reduces erosion and even prevents diseases.
“Rotation eliminates weeds, too,” Wise said. “We’re now 70 percent less reliant on synthetic chemicals than most other farms.”
It’s a lot of extra work, but by hand weeding, Wise is able to avoid herbicides, because it’s what’s best for both the product and the consumer.
Wise and his family have also chosen to reduce waste and hazardous materials by not raising livestock.
“Livestock run-off and general waste is extremely bad for the environment and fertility of the soil,” Wise said. “Plus, it’s a lot of really unnecessary work. They’re more trouble than they’re worth.”
In the beginning, he didn’t really want animals of any kind, but three dogs and several cats later, Wise feels ready to take the “Old McDonald” plunge.
“I think I’d like to get some horses one day,” he said.
The market
From the North Carolina State Farmer’s Market that runs every day to the Wednesday Brickyard farmers market, Wise Farms is making a name for itself. Customers from around the Triangle flock to Wise’s booths because of their freshness of produce and friendliness of face.
“We really want to make an impression,” Wise said. “We love people, and we want them to love us.”
Margaret Leeks, a usual customer at the Wise Family stand, has spread the word about eating locally grown produce to her friends and family.
“They do a good job,” Leeks said. “I buy all my collard greens from them and can’t imagine going anywhere else. In all my years, I can’t recall one that doesn’t include this family and their produce.”
The Wise Choice, the Wise’s brand name, supplies produce to several community-supported agriculture certified customers and often sells to Poole’s Diner, an upscale restaurant downtown. While prices can get a little steep, it’s important to remember the level of quality that comes with local crops.
“If anything, we’re dedicated to the quality of our produce,” Wise said. “It’s important to make people want to eat locally.”
Planting seeds for the future
Wise and his family have embraced the 21st century with an enthusiasm that is hard to ignore. Online order forms, email and a new Facebook account allow access to all manner of customers.
“If we don’t reach out to younger generations, how will they know about eating locally?” Wise said. “With fast food on every corner, it’s a wonder small farms like us are even in business. From our produce you get nutrients, no preservatives and a feeling of connection to the area.”
For the past 13 years, Wise has been farming everything from acorn squash to zucchini on land that has belonged to his family for three quarters of a century.
“We’re lucky,” Wise said. “That’s all there is to it. Profitable or not, it’s what we love to do, and we’re good at it. Farming is in our blood and is something we’ll hold on to forever.”
