Bryan Abramowski

Co-Owner and Vice President of Operations, Rockwell Farms

Native of Rowan County

Industry: Agriculture/Ornamental Floriculture

Work at his family’s floriculture business brought Bryan Abramowski back to Rowan County 15 years ago, after he finished college at Appalachian State University. After spending his teen years working at Rockwell Farms, he didn’t think that would happen. Now, he can’t imagine leaving. He loves the work, and he loves Rowan County for its culture and wide, open spaces.

“If your family is in farming and you are old enough to work, you are brought to work,” he says. Today, he says if he is not working, he is most likely going to live music in the area or enjoying some of the excellent culinary establishments in our county be it Carpe Vinum 121, Sweet Meadow Café, La Cava, or Hap’s Grill, to name a few. 

Salisbury-Rowan has a very distinct, diverse culture, he says. “We have really good restaurants, all these community events, and normally you wouldn’t find three different playhouses in a town our size.” He is referring to The Norvell Theater, The Meroney Theater, and Lee Street Theatre. 

His favorite restaurant is Hap’s Grill on Main Street in Salisbury. “I have grown up on it. They haven’t changed the recipes in 35 years. It’s our hidden hot spot.”

The Ellis Park Disc Golf Course is his favorite outdoor space. “It’s the most challenging disc golf course in the area. The Back Nine has narrow fairways so you are shooting into the blind and hoping for the best.”

Earth Day Jam is his event of choice. It is sponsored by Happy Roots, which provides nature-based therapeutic and educational services to enhance the wellness of the community and the environment. 

“All proceeds from Earth Day go to the Happy Roots Foundation, which teaches kids about opportunities in agriculture,” he says. “They have built community gardens at 15 to 20 schools so that kids can learn firsthand about growing plants. When I was growing up, I wouldn’t have had that, without Rockwell Farms.” 

Happy Roots focuses on creating school and community garden space as a tool for environmental education, mental health therapy, outdoor classrooms for STEM curriculum, and functioning green spaces to address climate change, food insecurity, nutritional needs, and community appearance.

Rockwell Farms, with 41 acres of environmentally controlled greenhouse space, is the 39^th largest grower in the U.S. The farm ships plants throughout the South and Mid-Atlantic States. 

Bryan identifies with the county slogan, Be an Original. ™ “Being an original here is not hard at all,” he says. “You just have to follow your heart and do what feels right. 

He likes the small-town feel of Salisbury/Rowan and being out and about, visiting the local establishments, especially New Sarum Brewing and Shug’s at Brooklyn Square South, where there is music almost nightly. 

“Everyone has a unique story here,” he says of his home county.  “Everything and everyone is interconnected in some way.”