Honoring the Work and Legacy of Bill Coleman at Heritage Farm

Many in our community never had the chance to meet Bill Coleman, but his impact is still rooted in the work of Heritage Farm today. Bill was known for his steady presence, deep care, and joy in the work. The stories shared about him speak to someone who understood that farming was never just about what was growing in the field, but who was growing alongside it.

What began as Bill’s half-acre of carrots has grown into ten acres, and the program he helped start is now entering its 17th season, with more than one million pounds of fresh food grown for our community. But Bill’s legacy reminds us the harvest was never only about the food. A quote often shared from Bill still guides the work today,“We don’t grow carrots, we grow people.”

That spirit remains at the heart of Heritage Farm. It is a place where food is grown, but also where connection is built, skills are shared, and community takes root. More than a decade since Bill last worked this soil, the seeds he planted continue to grow through every volunteer, every harvest, and every neighbor who shows up.

As Heritage Farm begins its 17th season, Bill’s legacy remains a reminder that while the food feeds our community, it’s the people who sustain it.