They lived just beyond the property of Jim and Lilie Public Golf Club for four years, all the while lamenting of its demise.
As it sat unused, the property became overgrown and unsightly.
“It had become an eyesore,” said Laura Russo Acosta. “I said ‘somebody needs to do something.’”
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Her husband, Jarett Acosta, responded to her comment one day by saying “We’re somebody. Let’s buy it.”
She wasn’t sure he was serious at first, but they purchased the site and created Boondock Farms, an agro-tourism farm behind Jackson Middle School in Jackson, S.C. in 2018. They have big plans for the space.
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One of the biggest problems she sees with her small town is a lack of places to buy food.
“It’s 30 minutes to go to Aiken or 20 minutes to go to North Augusta to go grocery shopping,” she said. “There’s an abundance of family farms here, but there’s not an abundance of farmers’ markets.”
In 2020, the couple opened up the land on the second Saturday of each month to give local growers and artisans a place to sell their items.
The first market of the season was held April 10 with multiple vendors on site. The artisans sold handcrafted items such as jewelry, natural soaps, pottery and clothing. Wyandotte Smoke provided barbecue while Georgia Sneaux operated its New Orleans-style snoball truck.
Inside the former golf clubhouse-turned-store were a variety of items, including Boondock Farms preserves, fresh produce and stained-glass items.
Laura Russo Acosta said her initial idea had been to have a farmers’ market once a week, but once a month will have to do for now.
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Her ideas don’t stop with farmers’ markets.
The first building to be renovated was the former clubhouse, but she plans to turn one of the other buildings into a studio where artists could conduct classes including some of the vendors at her second Saturday market. Russo is a stained- glass artist and other artisans are potters, jewelry makers and knitters and crocheters.
She also has plans for festivals on the site and plans to create an amphitheater for musical events. The grounds would also be a good location for a Renaissance festival, she said.
“I’m so excited,” she said.
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The next event at the farm will be an open jam session from noon to 2:30 p.m. April 24. The event is free.
To learn more about Boondock Farms, visit boondockfarms.com or go to facebook.com/boondockfarmstead.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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