‘Three Sisters Dinner’ raises money for Furman Farm

Furman University is working with Topsoil Kitchen and Market to host a dinner incorporating ingredients indigenous to the area and celebrating sustainable food.

The Three Sisters Dinner is a partnership between the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and Travelers Rest farm-to-table restaurant Topsoil. The dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Topsoil, 13 S. Main St., Travelers Rest and raises money to support the Furman Farm.

The “three sisters” refers to the Native American agricultural practice of planting corn, beans and squash together because they nourish one another. Topsoil, a seasonal restaurant that sources ingredients locally and has long embraced farm-to-table dining, partnered with the Shi Institute to provide some of the produce for the dinner from the Furman Farm.

From left Stefan Yazijan ’27, Kevin Amon ’26 and Summer Marsden ’25 wash and sort kale that was harvested from the Furman Farm on Nov. 11. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University.

Respecting this indigenous growing practice “reminds us that sustainability should not be framed as people versus nature, but as a reciprocal relationship where humans can have a positive impact on the environment,” said Andrew Predmore, Shi Institute executive director.

Sustainability partners

Since starting Topsoil Farm in 2018, restaurant and farm owner Wendy Lynam has pursued the mission of highlighting local, seasonal ingredients and sustainable farming practices – work that made the Shi Institute the perfect partner for this dinner. Shi “provides academic and historical context, while Topsoil offers the culinary expertise and a platform to bring these ingredients to our community,” she said.

Last year Hurricane Helene flattened much of the Furman Farm’s corn crop just before the Three Sisters Dinner, but sustainable farming is part of daily life at Furman: Food from the farm is cooked and served at the Dining Hall, leftover food scraps are composted, the compost builds healthy soil on the farm which grows another round of crops.

“Humans can be positive for nature and that can create a reinforcing feedback loop,” Predmore said.

Last year’s dinner raised about $8,000 for the Shi Institute to support the Community Conservation Corps’ efforts to help homeowners recover after Hurricane Helene. This year, the event will raise funds for the Furman Farm. Aside from growing food for the dining hall, the campus farm serves as a living classroom for students and is a hands-on resource for the broader community.

“Our hope is that attendees leave not only enjoying a meal but also feeling connected to the farm and its role in advancing sustainability at Furman and beyond,” Predmore said.