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2026 SFA Film Residency, with multi-city in-person experiences and monthly virtual workshops ⟶
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Renew
Summer 2026—February 2027
2026 SFA Film Residency, with multi-city in-person experiences and monthly virtual workshops ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Oxford Community Market

ORAL HISTORY

Leonard Brown

Brown's Farm

Leonard Brown owns and operates Brown’s Farm in Water Valley, MS. Leonard’s family has lived and farmed on the Brown’s Farm land for almost a century. He grew up with his parents, grandparents, and four siblings on the farm in Water Valley and saw his father grow and sell the produce that the farm grew. After leaving to attend school and live in Montgomery, AL, Leonard returned to Water Valley to live and work on the farm. He now primarily sells herbs, which he also makes into essential oils, and mushrooms at the Oxford Community Market. He is interested in expanding his farm, which is already filled with livestock, fruit trees, herbs, and mushrooms, into a recreational tourist location.

Date of interview:
2023-06-29

Interviewer:
Sarah I. Rodriguez

Photographer:
Emily Williams

Download Transcript

“

“So, when I go to the Market, I have no thought as to what I’m going to make that day. Most time, I’m surprised. Most time, when I get back and I account of what I did, most time I’m a little shocked that I—in most cases I made more than I expected. So, I try not to have an expectation.” - Leonard Brown

Other Project Interviews

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Doug Davis

Doug Davis is the owner and operator of Yokna Bottoms Farm in Oxford, MS.

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Rosie Hawkins

Rosie Hawkins bakes fried pies, cookies, and other sweet treats for the Oxford Community Market.

Interview

Reed Falkner

Reed Falkner operates Falkner Farms, his family's farm that raises cattle and chickens.

Interview

Betsy Chapman

Betsy Chapman is the director of the Oxford Community Market in Oxford, MS.

Interview

Kevin Guyer & Kerry O’Donoghue

Husband-and-wife duo Kevin Guyer and Kerry O’Donoghue own and operate Poultry in Motion Farm, which produces eggs, herbs, breads, and canned goods.

Interview

Bridgette Gordon & Talisha Gordon

Mother and daughter Bridgette and Talisha Gordon operate Live Again Events, LLC, an organization that promotes women’s welfare in north Mississippi.

Interview

Stark Aldridge

Stark Aldridge is a native of north Mississippi and provides fresh eggs, jams, jellies, and baked goods to the Oxford Community Market.

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The Southern Foodways Alliance drives a more progressive future by leading conversations that challenge existing constructs, shape perspectives, and foster meaningful discussions. We reconsider the past with research, scrutiny, and documentation.

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