Beardsley Farm

11/01/2024

We had a wonderful time at our Harvest Festival! Here are some fun moments captured by the talented . Additionally, a big shout-out to for the incredible face painting!

Gracias por venir a nuestro Festival de la Cosecha! Disfruta estas fotos del evento por ! Tambien queremos agradecer a por su talento artistico pintando caras.

10/28/2024

A big thank you to everyone who attended Harvest Fest! We enjoyed delicious food, fantastic entertainment, and lots of fun. Stay tuned for some beautiful images from the day taken by .

We couldn’t have accomplished this without the support of our friends and partners, who helped make this year’s festival one of our best:









All Signs Point North

Hispano
@loricruzephotography




Thank you everyone and see you next time! Don't forget to tag us in your Harvest Fest photos!

10/24/2024

It feels funny to plan a festival in the midst of disaster cleanup. But to not come together as a community to connect and find joy is a shame. We need these moments together to be able to get through the hard times.

While Harvest Festival has and always will be a free event, we normally have a little donation jar out for those able to chip in to help feed our neighbors. This year, all of these monetary donations will go to Helene flood relief efforts.

We will also have flyers up with QR codes to donate directly to the following organizations (swipe or scroll to see organizations chosen by staff and Americorps members).

As always, thanks to our community for supporting the farm and beyond. We're amazed at the power we have together to help those that need a hand.

https://arcd.networkforgood.com/projects/236869-resilient-farmer-fund

https://equalplatesproject.org/

https://www.classy.org/campaign/help-page-girls-impacted-by-hurricane-helene/c624524

https://tnfarmbureau.org/tn-disaster-relief #:~:text=The%20Farm%20and%20Forest%20Families,farmers%20and%20food%20related%20initiatives.

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/rebuildbw

10/23/2024

We're thrilled to share space this Saturday (10/26) with some wonderful friends! Look out for fun crafts, games, and photos from:





and CAC's Head Start!

See you all this Saturday, October 26th from 1-5 for HARVEST FESTIVAL :)

10/20/2024

We're recruiting!

Are you interested in supporting local food access & education in Knoxville's community?

We're looking for a candidate for our Farm and Education Assistant AmeriCorps position. The position runs from January 2025- December 2025.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who is enthusiastic about promoting food security and wants a dynamic role on a community farm where they will support both the day-to-day farm operations and educational programming that Beardsley offers to the community.

Find more details about the description and how to apply here: https://cacamericorps.org/opportunities/urban-agriculture-education-assistant/

10/19/2024

We're in for a Harvest Festival TREAT on 10/26! Take a look at the fun coming our way:

Music from:





Face painting from:


And the old Beardsley standbys like:
Needle in a Haystack
Pile-O-Leaves
Ring Toss
Pumpkin Painting
Nature crafts
and more!

Don't forget to come dressed in your costume and get ready to party!

🍁Nuestro Festival de la Cosecha esta lleno de diversion! Tenemos bandas musicales, pintura de cara, diferentes juegos como buscar la aguja en la paja, pila de hojas secas, decoracion de calabazas, manualidades hechas de material natural y mucho mas!

No se te olvide traer tu disfraz favorito!

10/16/2024

Let the countdown begin! Our annual Harvest Festival is just around the corner on October 26th, from 1-5pm at Beardsley Farm. We're getting ready to celebrate the harvest with you in a delicious way:

Chili and greens from
Ice cream from
Cookies from
Kombucha from
Coffee from
..and of course some fun treats for those that find the needle in the hay stack or land the ring on the corn stalk! We hope to see you next Saturday!

La cuenta regresiva comienza! Nuestro Festival de la Cosecha esta a las puertas! Unete a nosotros el sabado 26 de octubre de la 1pm a las 5pm y disfruta deliciosa comida y postres por parte de nuestros patrocinadores (mira los enlaces arriba). Vamos a tener chili con carne y vegetariano, helado, galletas, kombucha y cafe y mas cosas deliciosas cuando participes en las diferentes actividades que tendremos durante el evento. No te lo pierdas, te esperamos!

10/14/2024

Take a look as we get ready to distribute food to 8 schools in Knox County! Through our School Garden Program, last year CAC Beardsley Community Farm distributed over 14,000 lbs of food to children and their families in under-resourced schools. We also provided over 2,300 students with education, cooking classes, and healthy food. 🥬🍐🥕🍊😋

10/11/2024

Sign up today!🍂👈
Registrate hoy!🍁👈

10/11/2024

Stay safe everyone!

The CAC Ross Building (2247 Western Avenue) and CAC Beardsley Farm (1741 Reynolds Street) will close at 3:00 PM today. Knox County CAC Transit will operate on their regular schedule. All other CAC locations will remain open.

10/10/2024

We only have TWO more Saturday Community Workdays left in 2024! Our next one is quickly approaching - October 19 from 9AM-12PM.

There is still plenty to accomplish on the farm! We are sowing cover crop seeds, removing trellis systems and w**d barriers, and trying to tackle those pesky w**ds in the blackberry beds! As always, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and closed-toed shoes. We hope to see you there!

Solamente nos quedan DOS dias de Dia de Trabajo Comunitario, el proximo es el 19 de octubre de las 9am a las 12pm. Aun queda mucho para hacer en nuestra granja! Trae ropa y zapatos adecuados (no sandalias) y unete a nosotros. Te esperamos!

10/08/2024

Friends, our Harvest Festival is back! Join us for family fun and community bonding. Enjoy FREE delicious food, treats, and live music as we celebrate the season. You won't want to miss out on this event!
Join us on October 26th from 1pm - 5pm at CAC Beardsley Farm. Come dressed in your favorite costume! 🤡🤖👽👾

Hola! El Festival anual de la Cosecha vuelve a nuestra Granja Comunitaria CAC Beardsley el sabado 26 de octubre de la 1pm a las 5pm. Disfruta diversion para toda la familia y llega a conocer mas a la comunidad. Este evento incluye admision, actividades, comida, y musica a el vivo completamente GRATIS! no te lo pierdas. Ven con tus disfraz favorito! 🤡🤩🎃🤠

10/07/2024

Meet Jerry, a humble and dedicated 62-year-old gardener at Beardsley Farms. Although Jerry is a man of few words, his garden speaks volumes. Every morning, you can find him at our community garden off of Third Creek, diligently watering his impressive garden.
Jerry uses a version of the hugelkultur growing method, creating tall mounds and well-w**ded rows. His tomatoes tower over six feet tall, and his okra plants are so lush they could block out the sun. Despite his success, Jerry remains modest.
"I have a good idea on how to garden - I'm just not that good," Jerry says shyly.
"Yes, you are! You've got tomatoes that are six feet tall!" I remind him.
Jerry loves fresh vegetables and dreams of one day growing corn, both for himself and to help his family.
"I would like to grow some corn. When you buy it, it’s like $6 a dozen. But I would also like to give it to my family or sell it. I could use an extra buck or two," he shares.
Sitting in the shade of some trees, Jerry talks about his dreams of seeing the Great Smoky Mountains.
"There's nothing I like better than being off in the mountains by myself. I'm going to get me a mule, pack it down, and go into the mountains," Jerry says excitedly.
Gardening has provided Jerry with fresh produce and positively impacted his mental and physical health.
"It gets me out of the house and gives me something to do. It’s exercise, and I’m learning too, which helps me mentally. I just need to keep at it and get myself a good big garden," Jerry reflects.
Gardening has also helped Jerry connect with others.
"It helps me communicate with other people. I usually keep to myself, but gardening has helped me open up," he says.
Jerry's dedication to his craft and his dreams of exploring the mountains make him an invaluable member of our community. His story is a testament to resilience, humility, and the joy of nurturing life from the soil. Stay tuned for more stories of our incredible community gardeners!

10/07/2024

Today marks day 10 since the destruction of Hurricane Helene hit our closest neighbors in Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina. We are shocked at the immeasurable destruction across so many states & counties and saddened by the immense loss so many are experiencing. Many of us have families and close friends in this region that were directly impacted by the disaster; we are grieving with you.

We are still trying to find the best way CAC Beardsley Community Farm can support the recovery efforts while sharing the MANY ways you can get involved right here in Knoxville. We will continue to share these opportunities on our story and save them in our highlights for you to reference at any time. The needs of the community will continue to evolve as the impacted areas rebuild and start the recovery process.

There are a multitude of ways you can get involved by donating your time, supplies, and money. These are four organizations that align closely with our mission, which is why we chose to highlight them-- slide to see a description of each organization and the work they are doing. If one of these doesn't resonate with you, there are many, many organizations doing good work that need help right now.

Southern Appalachia has always been a resilient part of the country and, with everyone's help, will rebuild.

Links for organizations on slides:
1. Second Harvest-
2. United Way-
3. BeLoved Asheville-
4. Equal Plates Project-

09/30/2024

We just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and congratulate our very own Charlotte Rodina for winning the 39th annual YWCA Tribute to Woman Awards. Her dedication and service to the community is truly inspiring. Well done, Charlotte!

09/26/2024

Hello all! We want to introduce you to Megan (she/her), one of our new AmeriCorps who is joining our farm family. She is our School Gardens Assistant. Here is a little bit about her.

Where are you from?
-White Pine, Tennessee.

What's your favorite thing about Beardsley Farm?
-Seeing children connecting with nature and getting excited about gardens.

What's your favorite color?
-I love all of them.

What's your favorite hobby?
-My favorite hobby is crochet.

Welcome Megan!🤩

09/24/2024

The school year has begun, and for us that means field trip season! We incorporate the specific interests, lesson plans, or standards of your class to your student's time here. Whether it be about plant parts, eating the rainbow, or a lesson on pollinators, we've got you.

Field trips are free to all students attending title one schools & nonprofit organizations. Email [email protected] to bring a class to Beardsley Farm for the fall or spring '24-'25 school year!

09/18/2024

Everyone, meet our new AmeriCorps member, Bailey (they/them)! They are our Urban Agricultural Steward, helping us harvest, plant, and much more. Here is a little bit about them.

Where are you from?
-Topeka, Kansas.

Why did you move to Knoxville?
-When I was here working with CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), Knoxville caught my eye. I loved the sense of community and how people were always willing to volunteer.

Why did you come to Beardsley?
-I believe food brings people and communities together. I want to help to build that relationship! Beardsley Farm gives me that opportunity.

What's your favorite color?
-Burgundy.

What's your favorite vegetable(s)?
-Asparagus because it goes well with steak, and peppers because they are good with everything.

Welcome to the Beardsley Farm Bailey! We are excited to have you.😁

09/16/2024

We might be biased but a Saturday morning spent pulling w**ds and watering LOTS of fall plant babies is the best way to start your weekend!

Join us Saturday, September 21st for our monthly Community Workday from 9AM-12PM. We will start everyone with a tour of the farm, then finish prepping the last of the garden beds for fall seeds.

Saturday Workdays are great for large groups or folks who can't make it to the farm during the week. We hope to see you there!

09/12/2024

This month the YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley is hosting its 39th Annual Tribute to Women Awards and we are thrilled to announce that CAC has not one but three nominees, including Beardsley's own Charlotte Rodina, Director of Urban Agriculture!

Since 1899, our community's YWCA has been dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. With their Tribute to Women Awards, they honor women leaders representing East Tennessee’s diverse arts & culture, business, education, healthcare, community enhancement, emerging leader, and social and racial justice sectors.

Beardsley's Charlotte and Misty McPhetridge, in Knoxville-Knox County CAC Office on Aging, are both finalist in the Emerging Leader category, which considers outstanding young women that are making an impact early in their careers to better our community. This award is focused on women out of high school but under 35 that have shown dedication by creating, participating or adapting programs to meet community needs, and embody the mission of the YWCA.

Lisa Higginbotham, in CAC's Special Projects Department, is a finalist in the Community Enhancement category, which considers outstanding women who inspire, mentor, advocate and act on behalf of others through community programs or organizations, government, military or first responders or philanthropic endeavors. These remarkable women have shown their dedication by creating, participating in or adapting programs to meet community needs in the areas of social services, community improvement, and human rights.

Today we celebrate and send our sincerest gratitude to all finalist for their inspiring work and leadership in our community. Please help us to congratulate Charlotte, Lisa, and Misty and wish them each luck!

Click here to learn more about the event and the YWCA
Tribute to Women - YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley

09/10/2024

Everyone, meet Maria (she/her)! She is one of our AmeriCorps members who is joining us this year. Maria is our Community Gardens Program Assistant. Here is more about her:

Where are you from?
-Huntsville, Alabama.

What are your favorite things about Knoxville?
-My favorite thing about Knoxville is how there is an actual community presence here and that people want to help and get involved.

Why did you choose to come to Beardsley Farm?
-I like the idea of social conservation, where we can preserve the most vulnerable communities. Beardsley Farm meets that idea by serving immigrants and people with low incomes.

What's your favorite animal?
-Dog

We are happy to have Maria!😉

09/10/2024

We've been picking pears and sowing seeds because it's *almost* time for FALL! This also means a new cohort of AmeriCorps has started at Beardsley. Four new folks joined us in August and, as always, we want to introduce you to each of them! Everyone - meet Barbara (she/her) - our Farm Operation Assistant!

Are you from Knoxville?
- No, I'm originally from Bogota, Colombia. I moved to Knoxville 16 years ago and the United States 21 years ago.

What is your favorite thing about Knoxville?
- It is so green! Where I'm from there are not many green spaces in the city. I just love the trees and nature. It is beautiful.

What made you choose Beardsley Farm?
- It was my first choice when I joined AmeriCorps. I wanted to come to Beardsley because I was eager to get out of the classroom and wanted to be outside. I always wanted to be more involved at Beardsley but having three kids made it difficult, but we always loved attending Harvest Fest with the family. I live close by so I really consider this my community.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
- I would be a bear! It is my favorite animal. They're just so cute and I love them. You just want to cuddle them.

What is your favorite vegetable?
- I love bok choy! It's so versatile. It can go in soups or salads, you can barbeque it or grill it. I like to cook this curry ramen soup dish with bok choy topped with tofu. My family loves it!

We're very excited to have Barbara on the team this year! Keep your eye out for more AmeriCorps introductions.

09/07/2024

We had so much fun this past week building a community garden bed for the Western Heights Center for their youth garden program lead by community leader Teleia Jones and Allison Wilder, the program manager of the Center!
Thank you to all our partners for supporting this project! - - City of Knoxville - Government- Knoxville - Knox County Community Action Committee--
Let’s grow community together!

08/16/2024

After two🔥hot🔥 months off - our Saturday Community Workdays are back!!

Join us August 24 for a fun morning of w**ding and amending beds for fall plants. Wear clothes you won’t mind getting dirty and closed-toed shoes. We always recommend bringing a water bottle and sunscreen just in case! The workday is from 9AM-NOON.