Harvest to Hand set for Saturday

Published 10:05 am Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Summertime in Winchester is known for its share of outdoor dinners as right on the tail of Farm-to-Table dinner on Depot Street comes Harvest to Hand.

Serena Gilkison, who owns and operates Gilkison Farm alongside her husband, Brennan, said Gilkison Farm and friends invite Clark Countians to taste and celebrate local, fresh fare on a working farm.

“Agriculture is the tie that binds us,” Gilkison said.

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The Gilkison family is opening the barn doors for their fourth annual farm-to-table dinner showcasing food items grown by local farmers. Gilkison said she had wanted to host a farm-to-table dinner for years, but finally had the courage and support to put the first event together in 2016.

“I wanted to do it for several years, but always chickened it out because I knew it would be a huge undertaking, but we finally decided to do it,” she said.

Attendees can enjoy a family-style, fundraising dinner prepared by Everett Curry, Gilkison’s father, and the Burley BBQ Misfit Crew. Drinks and appetizers begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Gilkison farm, 345 Calloway White Road.

The meal will be at 7 p.m. Gilkison said this year is the first year they are serving beef as the sole protein. Interested attendees can purchase tickets online at Eventbrite, https://bit.ly/2SFHXQR, for $75 a person.

“As many as ingredients as we can we are getting from local farmers,” Gilkison said.

All proceeds will benefit agricultural education for Clark County’s youth. Gilkison Farm hosts an Ag Day for students every year, and many of the proceeds from the dinner directly fund that event.

The Gilkisons also promote agriculture education within the schools.

“We want to have a sustainable food source for years to come, and while every child may not go into the agriculture industry, at least they will be more understanding and more aware of how their food gets to the table and maybe be a bit more supportive of legislation that supports farmers,” Gilkison said.

Gilkison Farm is a diversified family farm growing burley tobacco, corn, soybeans, cattle, alfalfa, rye, hemp, black raspberries and most importantly, their three children, Gilkison said.

Farming is the Gilkison’s heritage, and continuously, they work hard to ensure it is their future, Gilkison said.

“We appreciate the support of our family, friends and the local farmers that help us pull this off,” she said. “Even more so, we are grateful to our guests that come every year and the ones that will be here this year. It’s a fun event, and it’s a good cause. And being in good company is always a grand thing. We are just very appreciative all across the board.”

About Lashana Harney

Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.

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