Since it was first established in 1981, Harvest Hope Food Bank has grown to help feed hungry South Carolinians across 20 counties. The food it distributes not only comes from food drives and financial donations, but also from partnerships with local farmers, like Willie Capehart.
Capehart grew up on his grandmother’s small farm in North Carolina where his lived with his disabled father and his two sisters. His grandmother, a retired teacher, helped foster Capehart’s love of agriculture, and ensured that all three children received a college education from North Carolina A&T.
As a small child, Capehart was fascinated by the work being done on his grandmother’s farm. The plowing was done by his grandmother’s brother-in-law, Johnny Bell. Capehart went from riding along early mornings with Bell to eventually taking over Bell’s duties altogether, growing in his passion for farming. Capehart went on to earn several degrees in agriculture, including from Clemson University.
In 2024, Capehart joined one of Harvest Hope’s Board of Directors, Yvonne Johnson, at StoryCorps to discuss their work for South Carolina’s largest food bank, and why it matters to the communities it serves.
TRANSCRIPT:
Capehart: So many people go malnourished for unforeseen reasons. Some is economical, some for various other reasons.
Johnson: Please tell me a little about how you got started with agriculture.
Capehart: I asked my kids at school, when I taught school, “Where should a child be?” And the answer to that to me was, “Always in the way.” And that was me. Johnny Bell would be plowing the tractor. I'm riding on the tractor with Johnny, 6:30 in the morning, little 5-year-old boy riding the tractor, 6:30 in the morning. Most little kids that age was-
Johnson: Still asleep.
Capehart: Still asleep. I'm in the way, riding with Johnny. Johnny go to work. I tell my grandmother, I said, “Grandma,” I said, “I can do what Johnny's doing.” She said, “What you talking about?” I said, “I could plow just like Johnny's doing.” She said, “Well, I tell you what, I'm gonna let you try that.” So, she gave me the little one-row Super A tractor and I went down and came back. She said, “Hm, that’s pretty good.” She said, “That must be beginner's luck. Why don't you try another row or two?” So, I went down and came back again. She said, “Go ahead and keep on going.” Next thing I know, I was across the whole field. So, when Johnny Bell came back from work, and he normally comes and goes through the field and work for an hour and then go home, Johnny didn't have anything left to do because I done took his job over as plowing on the farm. Never forget where you come from. I remember the days my grandmother was still farming. I was at (North Carolina) A&T. We have a party from 10 o' clock to 2 o' clock. Then we have another party from 2 o' clock to 6 o' clock. And I had some homeboys that stayed about 30 miles from me and I would ask them, “What time is it? Let me know when it gets close to 6 o' clock or 5 o' clock because we got to leave.” I would jump in the backseat, go to sleep. My homeboy drive and he stayed about 30 miles from me. So, he get 30 miles from me, home. I jump across the seat and I drive on home. I get home, my grandmother's trying to put in tobacco. An old lady about 70 years old trying to put in tobacco. I said, “Grandmother,” I said, “I'm going to pull both of these rows on the left hand side and I'm going to drive the tractor.” I pull all the tobacco, I go to the house, I hang the tobacco up and I lie on the floor for a couple hours. Get me a couple hours sleep, jump right back in my car and drive back to Greensboro and party some more with the Ques. But, never forget, when your family do something for you, don't get too big for your britches. And never forget your parents. Always have that love.
Johnson: I'd like to thank you for everything you've done for us, Harvest Hope, for the community, for the farmers. I enjoy working together and providing services to the community and to the county of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Thank you.
Do you have a story you'd like to share for Narrative? Email us at Narrative@SCPublicRadio.org.
