Farmer Vernell Switzer is known for his sweet watermelons. Photo by Kevin Walker Farmer pens kids book BY COURTNEY GAILLARD THE CHRONICLE Farming isn't hard work in the eyes and hands of 58-year old Vernell Switzer. Even after 25 years of "raising watermelons," as he puts it. his love for the land endures. He shares his passion for all things agricultural in "Puffy the Watermelon," a 21 -page illustrated book that tells the story of a boy named Vern who learns a valuable life les son by growing a walernlelon. "Farming to me is the greatest thing in this world. ...It's not hard work. Dop't let anybody tell you that," said Switzer. "This book is about a boy who kept the faith, "said Switzer, who is full of faith. Chances are when you see Switzer in per son, he'll be sporting a black baseball cap with the words "I Walk by Faith" across the front. "It don't take a whole lot. People want a whole lot of something. But it only takes one seed," said Switzer. "This boy has faith and a watermel on seed. If you have that kind of faith, God will give you anything." Ed McCarter, owner of Special Occasions bookstore, said "Puffy the Watermelon" is worth reading, especially since tlje author and his mes sage are home grown. "The author is right here in our own back yard. The fact that he talks about things growing is very important, especially for young people," said McCarter. "He's such a pleasant person to be around. He just exudes confidence in people." Born and raised in East Winston on a small farm, Switzer spent 15 years in New York before returning to his hometown. He ran Mary's Grille for eight years before selling it and buying the farm he runs today on Germanton Road "I was determined that I was going to grow watermel ons. I didn't know how but I was going to learn/' said Switzer. And learn he and his wife. Annie, did. The couple tilled an acre of land by them selves to turn their first crop. "We went out there and worked that field, and the first watermelons 1 ever raised Was a great field of watermelons," said Switzer. "From 1979 until now I haven't had one year of bad watermelons." Those who crave Switzer's watermelons will even travel to a farmers market in Greens boro on Yanceyville Road if they don't catch him at the farmers market in Winston Salem. where he's been sell ing produce since it opened. There the sweet smell of his fruits welcome you as you approach his stand. Switzer also mentors other young farmers through an agricultural program at N.C. A&T Slate University. He was the only black farmer to receive the grant to participate in the program. "My main product is pro duce. If I can't eat it, 1 don't grow it. Simple as that. I don't grow things that I don't partic ularly like to eat. Eggplant is something I never particularly liked. But since I've been growing it, guess what? I eat it," Switzer said. Switzer wants to start a summer camp for children to learn how to grow watermel ons just like Vern does in "Puffy the Watermelon." Lessons like watermelons must be cultivated, and he hopes that's what his readers will extract from his book. "That's what I want to teach children. If you grow it you'll learn to like it. Even if a child only. grows but one green bean, you need to eat that green bean," said Switzer. Switzer will sign copies of "Puffy the Watermelon" on Saturday, June 26, from noon to 2 p.m. at Special Occa sions, 112 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C 50 % OFF Mention This Ad .SUMMER 20041 * Last Minute .Availability! N* \?iid wn ay cd*r (fcaxiret ccnfimx! rar?. tj; a hohcfctys. are wtrictiar*