GrowFood Carolina Grower Highlight: Sidi Limehouse & Rosebank Farms
Sidi Limehouse has “lived with the land” of Johns Island his entire life–fishing, hunting, and growing lots of fresh produce.
Established in 1988, Rosebank Farms was one of the first farms to partner with GrowFood Carolina, making Sidi one of the first GrowFood farmers. He approached GrowFood in the early days of 2015 with an extra batch of potatoes, so beginning a fruitful and enduring relationship. Sidi’s partnership has helped to strengthen GrowFood’s offerings over the years, bringing a diverse product mix and an impressive scale of production that further enables GrowFood to serve restaurant and retail partners.
Sidi’s father purchased about 3,000 acres in 1938, and today, Sidi continues his family legacy on 100 acres. While pressures to sell to developers can be strong, Sidi has persisted, and his presence is everywhere on the farm to this day; met with waves and smiles from fellow farmers and visitors. As he drives around the farm, monitoring when crops are ready to be harvested, he also shares wisdom and tells stories of his childhood growing up in the great outdoors of the Lowcountry.
On the marsh shore today, Sidi’s once-family home now serves as the real estate office for an up-and-coming housing development. The development sits next to an extravagant wedding venue and a newly opened 72-room boutique hotel with pristine views of the Kiawah River.
In addition to protecting his family land and livelihood, Sidi has also stood as a strong advocate for surrounding wildlife and the landscapes he grew up immersed in. The battle to develop Kiawah Island first began in the 1960s, around the time that Sidi was serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Sidi has defended Captain Sams Spit —just off the Kiawah coast—time and time again as it has come under threat from large development. In more recent years, he has testified in Columbia and appeared at hearings to show his support for that beautiful sandy inlet that joins the Kiawah River to the Atlantic Ocean.
Rosebank Farms plants over 40 different crops annually, including squash, collards, and yellow watermelon. Over the years, Sidi has sold more variety to GrowFood than any other farmer. While every year is different on the farm, heirloom tomatoes, sunchokes, and snap peas remain the most popular to customers. As the heat builds in South Carolina, Sidi says the product range continues to expand; but not without challenge. Storms and drastic fluctuation in temperatures have made crop yield and volume difficult to predict.
Rosebank Farms produce is sold through GrowFood Carolina, and at their farm stand at the entrance of the Kiawah River community. Here you’ll find fresh items brought directly from the farm, including blooming arrangements of flowers and colorful vegetables each season. Next time you’re admiring the views of the Sea Islands, stop by to say hello to Sidi and pick up some farmstand favorites.
