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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

Stark Aldridge

Stark Aldridge is a native of north Mississippi and provides fresh eggs, jams, jellies, and baked goods to the Oxford Community Market. Stark was born and raised in Pontotoc County, MS, and has a history of farming in his family. He had an interest in gardening from a young age, which was encouraged by his mother and grandmother. During his life, he has worked as a pastor, a farmer, a carpenter, and a factory worker. Stark has struggled with his mental health throughout much of his life and says that starting to take care of chickens has been therapeutic for him. After selling his eggs to friends and family members, he expanded his production to sell eggs and other goods at the Pontotoc Farmers Market and the Oxford Community Market. Stark also does cooking demonstrations for the Market at the local library.

Date of interview:
2023-06-20

Interviewer:
Sarah I. Rodriguez

Photographer:
Emily Williams

Download Transcript

“

“Well, we had the standard old peas and butter beans and string beans. Tomato soup. We raised our own potatoes. I love fresh potato stewed . . . We raised our own hog meat. I’ve helped butcher hogs, and I’ve helped cut up the lard. I’ve helped cook out the lard. Which is what we used to cook with. When I grew up, you didn’t run to the grocery store every time you turned around. You grew it, or you didn’t have it.” - Stark Aldridge

Other Project Interviews

Interview

Doug Davis

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

Interview

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

Leonard Brown

Leonard Brown owns and operates Brown’s Farm in Water Valley, MS.

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.

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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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