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!

YOU 

can help Rural Resources receive a 

$300K 

grant to rebuild!

      

      After fire blazed through the Rural Resources primary office and programming space in 2009, the staff began working out of a tiny construction trailer with no indoor plumbing.

      Ever resourceful and committed, they have cheerfully carried on their mission to connect farms, food and families, while working to advance food security and nutrition, environmental sustainability and local food markets within the community.

      In spite of the devasting loss, they have continued and touch the lives of children with the Farm Day Camp, the Farm and Food Teen Training Program and by bringing farming and food into local classrooms.  

      

      Other Rural Resources programs to serve the community include the Four Seasons Grazing Club to encourage better forage production and grazing management, the Mobile Farmers’ Market and the Food Security Task Force.

      Imagine what could be accomplished with an adequate facility! The Rural Resources team has. In fact, they have more than imagined. With the help of an architect, they have created plans for a new, multipurpose Farm and Food Training Center that would house a certified teaching kitchen, classrooms, office space and a community meeting room.

 

      But to make this dream a reality, Rural Resources needs your help. The organization is eligible to receive a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the construction of the new facility, with the stipulation that they raise a local match of $100,000 by June

      Donations can be made on the website by clicking on the Capital Campaign link. Donations can also be made by printing and mailing the pledge card. Consider asking your employer if they will make a matching gift.

      Rural Resources has tenaciously clung to their mission and worked to make our community stronger. With your help to fund the multipurpose Farm and Food Training Center, Rural Resources can continue to serve the community even more effectively in the future.