Southern Belle Organics LLC/Brick Rooks

Brick Rooks worked on a blueberry farm as a teenager. After college, Brick returned to the land, starting his own blueberry farm in Whiteville, North Carolina. He and his wife, Jennifer Blackmon Rooks, named it Southern Belle Organics.

The blueberries were initially grown conventionally, but to meet customer demand for organics and with some gentle encouragement from his wife, Brick converted the land to organic practices just a few years after starting. Brick's farming, marketing, and business background combined with Jennifer's love of interacting with the customers has led to their quick success. Southern Belle Organics currently offers certified organic blueberries from May through September, but Brick hopes to expand to blackberries, strawberries, and other fruits in the future.