Farmer Stories

Randall’s Story
Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson

Randall’s Story

This is the first in a six-part series in a Collaboration between Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Coalition and Food as a Verb.

“Randall Tomlinson, hair braided down his back and dog named Gizzard at his feet, is standing in a Marion County pasture when the rain begins to fall. It's a soft rain, almost gentle, and neither Randall, nor Gizzard, seem to mind.”

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Hannah’s Story
Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson

Hannah’s Story

This is the second in a six-part series of stories in partnership with Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Coalition and Food as a Verb.

“The scene was like a psalm. A flock of sheep graze in the tall grass - fescue, orchard grass, clover's coming soon - at the base of green mountains, as fat clouds - they, too, white and fluffy - ease across a big blue sky. It even smells like a nursery rhyme: fresh, verdant, innocent.”

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Damon and Lilian’s Story
Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson Farmer Stories - Food as a Verb Jess Wilson

Damon and Lilian’s Story

This is the third article in a six-part series of stories produced through a partnership between us the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Coalition and Food as a Verb.

“Before you hear the stories about Miss Rose or the homeless man's cantaloupe or the way the dozens of kids plant-steward-harvest like a 21st-century army of Old McDonalds, there are a few facts that bear standing up, each flowing out of this very special farm in the middle of a south Chattanooga food desert.”

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JK’s Story
Farmer Stories Jess Wilson Farmer Stories Jess Wilson

JK’s Story

“A community spiral garden can represent the reciprocal nature of growth between the community and the earth, the importance of place-specific knowledge and memory, or the importance of community self-reflection and gratitude. At JK Willis’s farm in Chattanooga, TN, a spiral garden holds even more: the legacy of a dear friend, the health and prosperity of a community, the life-changing effects of injury, and a fierce, unbendable dedication to growth.”

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Mattie’s Story
Farmer Stories Jess Wilson Farmer Stories Jess Wilson

Mattie’s Story

Ingredients of a perfect farm meal:

  • Fresh-picked tomatoes,

  • Garlic, with that special taste only farm garlic can have,

  • Straw hats hung on the door,

  • One old farm dog,

  • Many helping hands, only a little dirty,

  • A couple curious cats,

  • A family, as big and loud as possible, and whatever other ingredients they bring to the table.

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