The Gourd Farm: History
Mrs. Lean Norris Braswell was the founder and heart of The Gourd Farm in Wrens, Georgia. Born on June 3, 1928, Lena was the oldest of four children born to Millie Ellis Norris and Alfred Norris. After graduating from Wrens High School in 1946, Lena began working with Southern Bell in Augusta and Wrens as a telephone operator. She married Hoyt Braswell in 1947 and later owned and operated Braswell's Service Station for many years. While Lena ran Braswell's Service Station, Hoyt farmed cotton, peanuts, and soybeans.
Having married a farmer, Lena loved the land and was proficient in the use of farm equipment. She loved seeing crops grown and harvested. In 1974, her aunt came to her requesting that she grow gourds. Her aunt loved gardening and wanted to use the gourds to attract Purple Martins to help control the insects. This challenge from her aunt grew into a great business for Lena. Gourds growing on vines near her home drew interest from travelers on U.S. Highway 1. She began posting gourds for sale in the Georgia's Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin and began selling thousands of gourds to crafters, wholesalers, and retailers all across the United States. The Gourd Farm quickly became the go-to gourd supplier in the southeast, making Wrens the "Gourd Capital of the World."
Having a fierce determination and growing up in the depression era, Lena was a hard-worker and was always busy with the task at hand. Her expert knowledge of the tire business, farming, and the land earned her great respect as a business woman. She was a lady who said what she meant, and meant what she said. Lena had a hard, no-nonsense exterior, but she housed a heart of gold.
Lena was able to operate The Gourd Farm for 42 years, but unfortunately, she is no longer with us. She passed away on December 30, 2017 after a short illness. She will always be remember for her integrity, honesty, fairness, and her dry sense of humor. Wrens, and the gourd community, lost an icon whose memory will forever be in our hearts.
Having married a farmer, Lena loved the land and was proficient in the use of farm equipment. She loved seeing crops grown and harvested. In 1974, her aunt came to her requesting that she grow gourds. Her aunt loved gardening and wanted to use the gourds to attract Purple Martins to help control the insects. This challenge from her aunt grew into a great business for Lena. Gourds growing on vines near her home drew interest from travelers on U.S. Highway 1. She began posting gourds for sale in the Georgia's Farmers & Consumers Market Bulletin and began selling thousands of gourds to crafters, wholesalers, and retailers all across the United States. The Gourd Farm quickly became the go-to gourd supplier in the southeast, making Wrens the "Gourd Capital of the World."
Having a fierce determination and growing up in the depression era, Lena was a hard-worker and was always busy with the task at hand. Her expert knowledge of the tire business, farming, and the land earned her great respect as a business woman. She was a lady who said what she meant, and meant what she said. Lena had a hard, no-nonsense exterior, but she housed a heart of gold.
Lena was able to operate The Gourd Farm for 42 years, but unfortunately, she is no longer with us. She passed away on December 30, 2017 after a short illness. She will always be remember for her integrity, honesty, fairness, and her dry sense of humor. Wrens, and the gourd community, lost an icon whose memory will forever be in our hearts.
The Gourd Farm: Present
Since her passing, Lena's family is working hard to keep The Gourd Farm open for business. Lena's grandson, John, his wife, Kelli, and their children, Tate and Abi, are continuing the family farming tradition of planting, harvesting, and selling gourds. Lillie-Ree, Lena's helper, is also working hard to to fill orders and serve customers. In the spring of 2019, John planted a new crop of gourds to harvest and sell. This was the first crop of gourds that were planted on the farm without Lena's help, knowledge, and supervision. They are continuing her legacy and tradition of planting gourds and would love to see The Gourd Farm thrive.
