Name: Walker Miller
Age: 68
Hometown: Six Mile, SC
Occupation: Farmer
Status: Taken
Diva Minds Want to Know…
1. Where do you like to flirt?
At the gym and on the farm. My family I have a 10 acre pick-your-own farm specializing in blue and blackberries. We also have grapes and figs. Summertime is spent waiting on customers and making sure the work gets done. Our farm is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, not far from 18,000 acre Lake Keowee. So bring the kids, a picnic lunch, the ice chest and fight the recession while forging strong family relations.
2. Where is your favorite table for two?
Six Mile is a small town that features two barbeque establishments: Main Street Cafe, and Six Mile Cafe, a bank, a garage/ gas station (ask for Jerry, if he can’t help you chances are you will need a specialist) two convenience stores, and five churches. There is lots to do in the area! See our vacation button on our web site www.thehappyberry.com. Not to mention swimming and fishing that everybody does.
3. Where should we stay when we visit?
There are several bed and breakfasts in the area that are listed on our website as well as hotels in Seneca, Clemson, Easley, Greenville. But if you are in camping or staying in county and state parks we are loaded with them. There are seven parks along the Great Blue Wall and Jocassee Gorges which you can see from the farm, not mention the myriad federal, county and state parks along the than 1000 miles plus of shore line with in 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour of drive of the farm.
4. What qualities do you find irresistible in a woman?
A strong body, a nimble mind and the desire to eat healthy and live healthy. A solid member of the community and a supporter of local agriculture and other local businesses. Being politically active would be a neat plus.
5. Where can we find you on a free Sunday afternoon?
In the summer, at the farm. We open at noon and don’t close until dark. Employees and most everyone else is off, but we are open because we know you relax and enjoy picking for your family. Nothing I like better than to hear the sound of berries hitting the bottom of the bucket, the chattering as family and friends build closer relations and if the kids get in a berry fight I pretty much look the other way.
6. What do you love most about your hometown (besides our arrival)?
They are family! If you get lost, stop and ask anybody they will direct you. In addition to berry picking there is lots of history in the area. See our web site. For example, if it is the third Saturday of the month you will want to go to Hagood Mill and see fresh ground corn. See a cotton gin operate, learn how to make moonshine, see Indian hieroglyphics and enjoy county picking…banjos that is.
7. What should we bring when we visit? What should we leave with?
Dress for the weather, usually warm, shoes, a bucket to pick berries into; if you don’t have one, we will loan or sell you one of ours. Some bring plastic bags and fill them as they check out so they can pop them in the freezer as soon as they get home.
8. What do we absolutely have to see while we’re there?
If you’re really interested in how a small farm happens, works, or think you would like to do it too, arrange for a tour several days before you come. I am expensive but as the crowd gets bigger my price drops. Actually, I am a certified crop adviser, have a PhD in plant pathology and love to talk with folks. Maybe I can convince you to become a farmer too..when it comes to local food we have a 35 billion dollar food deficit in South Carolina.
9. Any areas of town we should avoid?
Nope!
10. Any local secrets you want to share?
Old Pickens Church is just down the road, the Keowee trail came through our farm, check out the Story of Gap Hill on our web site. Looking for recipes? They are there too! Fort Prince George is under the lake about 2 miles up the valley. Shucks! There are lots of them and it will take you a month of Sundays to learn most of them.
