199: John Warren, Spade and Clover Gardens (Johns Island, SC)

Spade and Clover Gardens is located on Johns Island, SC, and the day I visited, dappled sun splashed along the country roads as I drove under a canopy of Live Oak trees, the sky a clear blue above it with little puffy clouds. It seemed easy to imagine all kinds of beautiful produce coming from a plot of land like this, and it does. John Warren is a young farmer who's committed to the belief that a farmer's mission is to grow with as little negative ecological impact as possible. He produces a variety of crops, many of which make their way onto some of the best plates (or in the best to go boxes) from some of the best restaurants in Charleston. Still, I would argue that his growing of turmeric and ginger in the sandy Lowcountry soil has had the most impact -- and suggested the most potential -- for both new crops for farmers and gardeners here, and new inspiration for cooks in the region that now have access to ultra fresh product.