Peak City Farms
By Dave Droschak
The overwhelming demand for residential development in Apex has led to the disappearance of numerous generational farms over the past decade.
Perhaps no corridor has been affected more than a 3-mile stretch of Olive Chapel Road. But one farm—the aptly named Peak City Farms—embarked on a development of its own, launching a fresh, hydroponic produce roadside market on Mother’s Day in 2024.
Owner Ed Carey grew up in Montreal and enjoyed visiting its large produce market before moving to North Carolina. In 2006, Carey’s parents purchased the modest 4-acre property that is now Peak City Farms.
The organic farm grows most of its produce in a large greenhouse, producing seven varieties of lettuce, tomatoes and microgreens. Peak City Farms grower Katrina Stuart says there are 120 tomato plants in the greenhouse, and the farm can produce as many as 450–500 heads of lettuce a week.
“I really have a passion for providing a clean product,” Stuart says. “One that is free from harmful pesticides. So I pick the best tomato varieties I can get, and our lettuce is very delicate. It’s much more tender than anything you can get in a grocery store.”
Carey is also building a chicken coop that will allow the farm to sell free-range eggs. “A lot of our regular customers want fresh eggs,” Carey says. “The eggs you get in the store have probably been sitting for six weeks before they even get to the store. Our eggs can stay on your counter for three weeks, and if you put them in the fridge, they last up to three months.”
Peak City Farms is open on weekends, and it is expanding its hours this spring as Stuart brings in hand-selected seasonal plants.
“I think you’re going to see more of what we’re doing,” Carey says. “And unlike grocery stores, our produce is picked the day you buy it.”
For more information, visit peakcityfarms.com.
Good Hope Farm cultivates connection
and sustainability
By Kyle Marie McMahon
Good Hope Farm, located at 1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road, is a testament to the Town of Cary’s commitment to preserving its agricultural heritage while fostering sustainable urban farming. Established on a historic family farmstead purchased by the town in 2008, the farm serves as an incubator for aspiring farmers and a hub for community engagement. Their mission is to “marry Cary’s agricultural past with an innovative future by connecting beginning farmers to affordable farmland, and our community to local food.”
The farm offers affordable plots to beginning farmers, providing them with access to essential resources such as irrigation, equipment and refrigeration. This support enables small agribusinesses to thrive, and it contributes to a resilient local food system.
Residents can visit the farm stand during harvest season to find a rotating selection of farmers selling their crops, such as Natural & Local’s methi saag, Nithin’s Farm’s eggplant or LVS Organic Farms’ bitter gourd. An eight-week CSA program is available through the spring and summer, providing a variety of organic produce and fresh-cut flowers.
In addition to supporting farmers, Good Hope Farm hosts a variety of community programs, volunteer opportunities and events, such as the annual Farm to Fork Dinner & Celebration. They emphasize environmental education, offering workshops on organic gardening, native plants and composting. These initiatives connect residents to local food production and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Good Hope Farm exemplifies how urban agriculture can preserve history, support local economies and strengthen community bonds. Its dedication to sustainable farming and education makes it a cherished asset in Cary, ensuring that the town’s rich agricultural legacy endures for generations to come.
To learn more, go to goodhopefarm.org
Logan’s Garden Hut brings a beloved
garden center into a new phase
By Heather Darnell
For more than 20 years, residents of Fuquay-Varina and beyond loved to visit The Garden Hut, a local garden center. Gardeners would stop in to chat with owner Nelsa Cox about their yard or garden and peruse plants. In 2024, Cox sold The Garden Hut to the Logan family, owners of Logan’s Garden Shop, a Raleigh-based business that has been in their family for three generations. The new ownership rebranded the nursery as Logan’s Garden Hut in 2024. The Logans also own Grasshopper Farms in Knightdale.
Over the past year, the new ownership has made several updates to the shop, but they intend to carry on the spirit of community and education that customers have cherished. “We’re really trying to build community this year,” says Sean Leggett, manager at Logan’s Garden Hut. These plans include community events like makers markets, seminars, artist gatherings and food trucks.
The business is excited about some of the upgrades they have brought to the business. “One of the most notable changes is the greenhouse,” says Leggett. He wants Logan’s Garden Hut to be “the place people come to for houseplants.” Today, guests enter the indoor retail area through the greenhouse before getting to the checkout. Other changes include the addition of an ice cream shop, improving wayfinding and organization for perennials, annuals and vegetables, and an increase in stock of ceramic planters. “We want to be a one-stop shop for pots,” says Leggett.
Other exciting plans are on the horizon for Logan’s Garden Hut, including building additional indoor retail and incorporating an Ace Hardware franchise as part of the business. “Raleigh gets all of the hoopla, but there’s a lot that Fuquay, Holly Springs and Angier bring,” says Leggett.
Visit Logan’s Garden Hut at 1004 Old Honeycutt Road, Fuquay-Varina. Learn more at logansgardenhut.com.
Holly Springs author Amie Knight shares
her journey and sinpirations
By Jennifer Axness
The seeds of Amie Knight’s writing journey were planted in middle school when a teacher recognized her talent. With encouragement from that teacher, as well as from her mother and grandmother, Knight’s confidence in storytelling blossomed.
Today, Knight has published 10 romance novels in a variety of subgenres. Her stories have reached international audiences, with translations in numerous languages. Rooted in her Southern heritage, her writing is inspired by personal experiences, visits to landmarks and her connections to both South Carolina and her current home in Holly Springs. “I always try to write something personal,” Knight says. “My novels often delve into lessons about overcoming grief or hardship, leaving readers feeling inspired and fulfilled.”
Her advice for aspiring writers? “Just start. Embrace the process, and never stop reading.” Learn more about Amie Knight and her work at authoramieknight.com.
Meet Morrisville’s new Economic Development Director
By Elizabeth Lincicome
Last fall, the Town of Morrisville hired Tiffany McNeill to be its first-ever economic development director. McNeill was a natural fit for the post based on her more than two decades of experience in fields related to economic development. McNeill was previously the economic development director for Fuquay-Varina. She has also held key city planning roles, including senior workforce development consultant at Duke Energy, business retention and expansion manager at the City of Raleigh and economic developer at the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
McNeill is excited about her new role in Morrisville, where she says city planners and public officials are committed to fostering a dynamic and supportive business environment. “We’re actively working to attract new investments, help existing businesses thrive, and empower small business owners and entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams,” McNeill says. “Building relationships is key, so I am focusing on connecting with community members, regional partners and businesses to promote Morrisville and foster a collaborative environment for economic success. One of the things I’m most excited about is helping to shape Morrisville’s brand identity. We need a compelling story that captures what makes this town unique, and I am excited to be a part of that.”
One of McNeill’s first projects in her new role here has been promoting Morrisville’s Small Business Saturday, which takes place annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This day celebrates and supports small businesses and all they do to enhance our local communities. The initiative was a natural fit for a place like Morrisville, which is a base for over 300 small businesses.
McNeill is also promoting a new program called LaunchMorrisville, one of 10 LaunchWakeCounty programs through which Wake Technical Community College’s Entrepreneurship & Small Business Center is educating up-and-coming entrepreneurs for free through local chambers of commerce and other community institutions. The program teaches these students how to run small businesses. So far, it has helped over 900 people establish their business models.
Morrisville’s mayor, TJ Cawley, says building strong partnerships with community groups, educational institutions and economic development organizations at all levels has been the foundation of McNeill’s career. “We are confident that her expertise and collaborative approach will drive the expansion of the town’s economic development program,” he says.
