Wednesday, April 19, 2017

We've Changed the Date!



THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST. THE NEW DATE IS MAY 4TH!

REGISTER HERE!

RURAL RESOURCES'


ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER ON THE FARM


We hope you received your invitation to Rural Resources' Annual Meeting and Dinner to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 4th at the Rural Resources Farm.  We really hope you are planning on attending and touring the new Farm & Food Learning Center that is under construction.  If you are, it would help us immensely to know you are coming!  

The dinner will feature locally raised ingredients and the cost is $8 adults/$4 children.

We are also continuing to raise funds for the Farm & Food Learning Center.  If you would like to make a donation of any amount, we welcome all donations at the dinner or click here to donate online.




Everyone is invited to come to visit the farm and see our progress,” said Rural Resources Executive Director Sally Causey. “We are excited to show you our sustainably built, energy efficient Learning Center.”
Tennessee Arts Commission funds will provide music by Knoxville jazz duo Jack Furnari and Mike Benjamin. The event will include a hamburger dinner featuring local beef, salad from the farm and homemade ice cream.The cost for the dinner is $8 per person and $4 for children under the age of 10.
  
The Farm & Food Learning Center will provide space for programs, community workshops, offices and a commercial kitchen. The Rural Resources staff has been working out of a small trailer, without indoor plumbing, since a fire destroyed the building in 2009. Youth programs have been held in out buildings and a Pavilion donated by the Rotary Club. Thanks to funding from the USDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission, East Tennessee Foundation and many other generous local donors, progress on the learning center is continuing.

The teens in our Farm & Food Teen Training program will be able to prepare and preserve the food they grow on-site and be able to build sustainable farm- and food-related businesses,” said Causey. “Farm Day Campers won’t have to use the outhouse anymore and students coming for field trips will have expanded offerings. There is no doubt that this facility will be a game-changer for hands-on learning opportunities for years to come.”
Rural Resources is nonprofit working to connect farms, food and families through community education, youth programs and sustainable agriculture.
Holly Creek Farm is located at 2870 Holly Creek Rd, Greeneville. For more information call Rural Resources at 423-636-8171 or visit our website atruralresources.net.
 
Make a donation toward completing the Farm & Food Learning Center here!

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Growing Dreams!



Our Farm and Food Teen Training Program Coordinator Debbie Strickland published a blog on the Grow Appalachia website about the program and one of this year's new participants. Check it out here at this link.

In the Farm and Food Teen Training Program, Food-insecure teens raise produce and livestock, train with local chefs, learn business and leadership skills, and start a food related business. They then have an option for an internship.

The Program follows a 4-year rotation. In year one, teens learn all about growing food, from planting and harvesting to composting and livestock management, and much more! Year two get the teens into the kitchen to learn kitchen safety, cooking and catering. The third and fourth years focus on business planning and organization, implementation of a farm- or food-related enterprise, creating a resume and public speaking. After completing four years of training, teens move on to an internship with a local farmer or chef.

For more information about the program, call Debbie Strickland at Debbie@ruralresources.net or call the office at 423-636-8171.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Local, Naturally-raised, Pastured Pork for Sale!


The Rural Resources Farm and Food Teen Training (FFTT) program has naturally-raised, pastured pork for sale! This is a great opportunity to not only get healthy, local food but to also support the teen program.

The teens bred and cared for the pigs as part of their livestock rotation in the FFTT program. All the proceeds from the pork they sell will go back into the program.

Don't miss out! Order soon!

The FFTT program teaches the teens about livestock, business practices Teens use the knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of the program to earn money for the program during years three and four.

Over a two year period, they explore the basics of business planning and organization. Teens team up to create a business plan for their own farm or food-related enterprise! In the process, they create resumes and develop critical job skills such as teamwork, public speaking, creating business plans, marketing principles and more.

For more information about the program contact Debbie Strickland at Debbie@ruralresources.net or call the office at 423-636-8171.