Tobacco farming today is a very different business than it was even a few years ago. Wesley Mills at Tables 60 and 61, at the end of Aisles B and C, can tell you about how it used to be and how he chose to leave tobacco long ago. (Here’s a hint, “tobacco is a whole lot of work.”)
Wesley did keep some keepsakes along with his memories. Ask him about the stringing horse he brings to Farmer Appreciation Day.
Growing up on a tobacco farm “leads to skills of “necessity.” For Wesley that meant developing a way to keep Wisconsin air cooled irrigation pump motors running when no one else in the community could.
And, that led to more mechanical skills and that led to a couple of years racing the dirt track at Madison/Mayodan. He allows that he finished third at least once.
Wesley has had a varied work life including working as prison guard in addition to working on cars, tractors and such. Without regard to his other jobs, he has always farmed.
Today you can find him selling sweet potatoes, white potatoes, cabbage, snaps, squash and old varieties of sweet corn. All in their seasons.
Wesley is a senior vendor. He sold at Commerce Place in downtown Greensboro before the Curb Market moved to Lindsay and Yanceyville. Two of the tables he sells from today came from Commerce Place with him.
History, smiles, good stories and great produce.