Pinckney's Produce

Pinckney’s Produce was a Community Supported Agriculture program run by Rest Park Farm in Beaufort, SC. Founded by Pinckney Thompson and his father, Jody, in 2009 at Thompson Farms, it moved to Rest Park Farm in 2011. Rest Park Farm, owned by 5th-generation farmer Urbie West and his son Ashby, brought over 100 years of experience in growing fresh, quality produce. The program closed in 2017 but positively impacted dozens of families in the area.

The farmers employed safe farming practices, selecting crops with natural disease resistance suited to the SC climate. They avoided herbicides, using mechanical cultivation or plastic mulch for weed control. Disease and pest management involved daily crop monitoring and an integrated system to sustain beneficial insects. Conventional pesticides and fungicides were used only when necessary, chosen for minimal environmental and human impact. Post-harvest, vegetables were stored in large coolers, washed in a 1% hypochlorite solution, dried, and delivered in refrigerated vans. Their methods, combining organic principles with sound management practices, ensured the safety and quality of their produce.

A CSA program allows community members to pre-pay for a share of the season’s harvest, receiving weekly boxes of fresh produce. This commitment supports the farm throughout the season. The program offered two seasons: Spring (mid-April to mid-July) and Fall (September to November), with various share sizes to accommodate different household needs. Although not certified organic, the farm's methods were all natural, focusing on affordability and health.