January 8, 2025

There is something incredibly healing about being a Black woman and spending time on the farm—I don’t make the rules.

As a child, I would dream of a life in the city any chance I could. One far away from my hometown of Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Only now that I’ve fulfilled that dream throughout my late 20s and early 30s, I understand the necessity for country living, spending time away from the hustle and bustle that often comes with that big city living I once dreamed so fervently about.

After the unexpected death of my maternal grandmother, whom I affectionately named GaGa, just hours before my 27th solar return, I couldn’t wait any longer to pursue my dreams. Within months, I packed up my Nissan Sentra and headed to Atlanta, GA, with a dollar and a dream.

The events following what many may deem an act of crazy faith surpassed my wildest dreams.

Fast-forward to age 32, when I can proudly call myself an established (and award-winning) journalist. I am reminded that my small-town upbringing keeps me grounded in an industry where seemingly everyone has their hand out or is willing to do just about anything to achieve fame.

Any chance I get, my solace is on the land. Open fields to lie in, the still, crisp, fresh air that follows a light breeze, and, if I’m auspicious, animals to listen to me vent about anything and everything under the sun. For me, the chance to do that usually only comes with visits to my nana’s home or the farmland my great-uncles maintained until I discovered DRFT Farm.

Located just an hour south of Atlanta, DRFT Farm, whose acronym stands for Don’t Run From Today, isn’t your typical farm. According to its website, this is “a sanctuary where tradition meets innovation, fostering a thriving future for all.” Created and run by Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife duo Milk and Sizz, DRFT Farm is merely an extension of their commitment to creative advocacy, artistic enrichment, and education.

I had the pleasure of visiting the farm for their GATHER & Graze: Friendsgiving event this past November. During the drive in, I was immediately teleported back to childhood memories of frolicking in the grass, where my imagination used to run wild.

Before I get to Chef Tim's delicious spread, I must highlight the opportunity to be greeted with a “War of the Roses” cocktail and forage fresh herbs from the DRFT Farm orchard to craft my concoction.                 

Now, let’s get into the feast. Before diving in, the food was blessed, another moment that felt like home. With a Baptist upbringing in rural southern Virginia, one simply does not begin to eat before covering the meal with a blessing and thanking the hands that prepared it. The menu included everything from yams to macaroni and cheese, collards, potatoes, dressing (some call it stuffing), and just about anything you could imagine to be on a Thanksgiving plate, including mouth-watering beef that came from a cow at a neighboring farm (it doesn’t get any better than that)!

Not only did we indulge in immaculate eats, but the fellowship was also a moment that was extra special to me, as I was not able to make it home for Thanksgiving due to the life of a busy journalist this year (in fact, I cannot recall the last time I’ve made it home for the holiday).

To conclude our Friendsgiving meal, there was a delicious banana pudding — and I cannot stress this enough—that I can still taste if I close my eyes and transport my memory back to the memories made that day.

I had no idea what to expect during my inaugural visit to DRFT Farm, but after that experience, it definitely will NOT be the last. From eating good, making new friends, experiencing the farm through their daughter Makena, and having the opportunity to just frolic in the grass, baby Shanique left the event beaming with pride and is already looking forward to our next adventure on the land.

Click here for a complete list of their offerings like GATHER & GRAZE, PICKED & PLATED, ROOTED, and ART IN NATURE.