Rural Resources' Land Blessing

Folks arriving for the blessing of the land on April 23, 2015.

Last night, Rural Resources' staff, volunteers, board members and supporters gathered on the grounds of Holly Creek Farm to bless the land and celebrate moving forward with the construction of a new facility.
 

 

 

  

 

  

 
As you may remember from an earlier post, the Rural Resources staff have been working out of a small trailer, without indoor plumbing, since a fire destroyed the building in 2009. Thanks to funding from the USDA and generous private donors, a new building is in the works! Greeneville architect David Wright designed the new facility pro bono and the groundbreaking was celebrated last Wednesday.


Thursday evening's land blessing was offered by Dr. Dan Donaldson of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville. Other speakers included Rural Resources' Executive Director Sally Causey, Board Chair Joyce Doughty and Meredith Clebsch, land director of the Foothills Land Conservancy.

 

Burgers, from locally-raised beef, sizzled on the grill and there was an abundance of tossed salad from the Holly Creek Garden. Cole slaw, potato salad and a scrumptious cake created by Rural Resources' Farm and Food Teen Training Coordinator Debbie Strickland rounded out the menu.

Cherokee musician and artisan Danny Bigay provided a unique musical experience for the evening, with traditional style melodies played on handcrafted rivercane flutes.

A great time was had by all!!!

 

Watch our Facebook page and website for upcoming events.

Rural Resources will receive $300K grant!

      Thank you to all who helped Rural Resources reach its Capital Campaign goal for the construction of a new building! 

      The June 20 deadline found the final tally at 112 percent of the matching funds needed to qualify for a $300K grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

      Work can now go forward on the construction of a new, multipurpose Farm and Food Training Center that will house a certified teaching kitchen, bathrooms, classrooms, office space and a community meeting room.

      Because of your generosity, Rural Resources will be able to serve our community more effectively and comfortably.

      "As staff, we appreciate it because we feel like we’re clowns in a clown car," said Sally Causey, Rural Resources' executive director. "You know, packed into this office trailer, which we’re absolutely grateful for. ... But just to have a space that actually has a bathroom that flushes and not having to run out to the outhouse when it’s snowing or hailing or pouring down rain. And to be more efficient all the way around."

      But although the new facility will allow staff to work more efficiently and comfortably, it's about much more than having a building. 

      "The new building is not just about bricks and mortar," Causey said. "It’s about having the programming space that we need for the kids that we work with. The teens in particular are very anxious to get into a kitchen and having a situation where they’re harvesting the food from the garden and then preparing it in a more immediate kind of way."

       Causy said one of the biggest impacts will be the freedom the children will have to explore and pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

      "The kids, more than anybody, they are just so anxious," she said. "They have all of these ideas for businesses and things that they can do, and they just need a space." 

      It's not too late to contribute to the project. Donations can be made, online or by mailing a pledge card, that will provide the equipment, furniture and miscellaneous needs to complete the vision. 

      Check back often to see what's happening on the farm!