Like much of this region, I know the history of Tuskegee to be deep and rich – with a throughline of tragedy. I’d never been before, but anticipated it to feel dark and heavy. As I made my way down the long, dirt road to my destination, something about it felt certain and promising. I wasn’t exactly sure of where I was going, but I was sure I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I squeezed my van through the narrow entrance gate and was greeted by dirt-smudged, smiling faces. I had arrived!

Shady Grove Road Blueberry Patch is 40+ acres of old-growth (mostly) pine trees and 2.5 acres of more than 6,000 blueberry bushes originally planted by the legendary Booker T. Whatley himself. I wandered the land in complete awe and admiration.

Eventually, my hosts grabbed a shovel and told me to choose the bushes I wanted to take home to expand my blueberry garden. My heart nearly exploded.

What an absolute honor to add these heritage bushes to our farm!