Corva Bella is a small family farm located in Upstate South Carolina, owned and operated by the Calderan Bell Family.

The name Corva Bella is a nod to my Grandparents and my Italian ancestry- my Grandfather was born in Corva, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy. Corva is a tiny hamlet of Azzano Decimo, located in the province of Pordenone. The rich, fertile Meduna River valley marks this region in the most Northeastern province of Italy, an area famous for prosecco, polenta, gnocchi, and prosciutto. This land is dedicated to the farming of corn and fruit trees, as far as the eye can see. Corvids are birds such as crows, ravens, and magpies, and I believe that is the origin of the town name, as “corvo” is Italian for crow. In an area where the main crop is corn, I’m sure they are frequent visitors!

My Grandfather was an avid gardener. He grew yearly acres of corn, and the biggest heirloom tomatoes I’d ever seen. My Grandmother had a large organic garden that I helped her with. She taught me all about gardening, supplementing the soil, picking, pruning and preservation. We’d can and freeze vegetables, and make jellies, jams and pies with berries. These times were truly the best memories of my childhood.

Life in the Blue Ridge foothills of South Carolina is never boring. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived, and is no doubt my favorite. We currently have three rescue dogs (Stella, Luna and Siggy), a herd of Kune Kune pigs, a Karakachan livestock guardian dog, two barn cats (Artemis and Mr. Moustache), a flock of Easter Egger/Barred Plymouth Rock chickens, a flock of Lavender, Blue and Black Ameraucanas, two Silkies, and an assortment of Bantam Cochins.

We maintain a 3 season organic garden, which I will be substantially expanding in the Spring. I hope to provide vegetables, herbs and fruit for our several families, our animals, and eventually, more unique specialty vegetables and herbs of Italian origin to sell at local markets or direct to restaurants.