PLOUGH GIRLS ASSOCIATION (PGA)

Back in 2006, while at the restaurant, I created a non-profit to promote local farming, local history, and cultural events.  At that time, it was called:  YanceyVillage Preservation.  After leaving the restaurant, I let the non-profit become inactive.   A few years ago, the board and I decided to revise the organization.  The purpose is the same, although it is admittedly a bit more female-centric.  A new name needed a new logo.  This one came from a wood cut  which Marianne Smith redesigned.

Plough Girls Association Mission Statement: The organization seeks to preserve, protect, and promote rural Caswell County’s rich farming history, as well as to support and promote art and agriculture in Caswell County through education.

Plough Girls Vision Statement: Plough Girls Association will be a dynamic resource in Caswell County, one that encompasses historical preservation and promotion of the arts and agriculture, and by providing an environment for the exciting exchange of ideas which will enrich the quality of life in Caswell County. 

Over the last 15 years, we have offered free community events, such as Storyteller Sheila Kaye Adams, who performed at the restaurant pavilion, as well as at the local library, and Virginia's Storyteller of the Year Megan Hicks who led free workshops on origami storytelling.  Since the closing of the restaurant, PGA has purchased library books during Covid to cover their shortfall, helped with library cooking programs for children,  supported youth entrepreneurs, and presented cooking demos for community groups and farmer's market.  Chef Lucindy's zoom program on herbal gardening during Covid had over 100 viewers from all over the country.

Caswell County is located in the northern Piedmont region of North Carolina. In November 2003, a reconnaissance team comprised of representatives from various divisions of the NC Department of Commerce interviewed leaders from local government, business, industry, education and other community stakeholders in order to gather information outlining the needs of the community. Following the situational analysis, the 21st Century Committee partnered with the county to develop a plan to ensure economic and educational growth in Caswell County in the 21st century. After determining that Caswell County has the “potential to become an attractive location for tourism” and that “the county is ideally situated geographical to the Research Triangle Park and Piedmont Triad,” the committee listed several critical areas limiting Caswell’s growth and development. Some of these needs included: 1) need to promote the agricultural potential while preserving the agricultural heritage of the county; 2) need to increase funding for education programs; 3) need to encourage the formation of a non-profit corporation for the promotion of new ventures.

Upon reading the report compiled by the Caswell County 21st Century Communities Project: Economic Development Strategic Plan (January 2005), Lucindy, former academician & chef at the restaurant, decided to establish a non-profit organization that would address some of these needs. 

Although the restaurant closed in 2011, Lucindy has kept the non-profit alive and continues to support the Caswell Community.