Clay Buddies: Justin Lewis

Hi, Justin! What do you do here at East Fork?

Hello hello!I am currently part of the Mug Team here at East Fork but have been cross trained on multiple aspects of our production processes. 

What do you like best about your job?

I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of helping shape and finalize each piece before it goes into the kiln. That and getting to work alongside incredibly talented and creative people is a nice thing.

What did you do before you came to work here?

It feels like the past handful of years I’ve been farming all over the country.  Really trying to understand different growing climates more in depth and at length. My partner and I moved to Asheville a couple years ago with an effort to get a small, herb farming business off (but mostly in) the ground.  I’ve also been heavily involved in teaching and performing music since high school.

Some of those experiences took me all over the place. Allowing me to teach, compose and perform percussion pieces/shows across the states as well as in Switzerland, Scotland, The Netherlands, and Germany. Those years of traveling were transformative and hugely inspiring for me.

Where are you from?

I was born waaaaaay down south in McAllen, TX but grew up in Nashville, TN.

How did you get started with farming?

I picked up a slight interest in food production in my early twenties that grew enough into wanting to work on a farm first hand. In 2014, I packed up everything I could fit in my ‘96 Honda Accord and set out west to a vegetable farm, on an island, off the coast of Seattle. What a labor of love. I was smitten with how tired and tan I was getting throughout the growing season and knew I had found, what was to become, a lifelong passion.

What do you grow on your farm? How and where do you sell the herbs?

At the moment, we grow a variety of medicinal and culinary herbs and flowers. Our vision is to help connect anyone interested in plant knowledge and/or natural medicine directly to those plants. We offer a Fresh Herb CSA that we deliver every other week throughout the growing season, with 5 bundles of freshly harvested herbs and information on how you might possibly use them fresh or dried. We are also at the Asheville City Market  every Saturday selling products made from plants grown on the farm. If anyone is interested in various details or more information, our website has the information you might be seeking.

Do you have a favorite herb? Why do you like it?

This question is tough, but there is something quite amazing about walking through rows of tulsi in full bloom. Tall, resinous flowers that reach your torso, the most unforgettable fragrance, docile honey bees all around you.  It’s grounding.…..and sage.

I should get us back to work talk. What’s your favorite core glaze?

Eggshell just pops.

Do you have a favorite seasonal glaze?

Easy. Black Mountain forever and ever.

What about a favorite form?

I use The Coupe daily at home, but the Bitty Bowl is functional anywhere it lands.

What are five objects from your life that you want to share with us? What is the story behind each one?

1. Neul - Neul is love. Neul is life.

2. Farm/Noel - This is Noel, my partner of the past 8 years at our farm in Alexander.  Days and daze in the fields.  Such a nice sanctuary.

3. Guitar - This Bluesboy was a birthday gift years back.  Reminds me of my dad.

4. Cats - Lord Grouse and Mr. Spinny AKA Dr. Spinozzo.  Brothers. 4 years strong. Absolute dingos.

5. Little me - still an avid cookie monster