Living Her Dream Off 'The Land'

Tucked along the winding route of U.S. Route 70 leading into Kingston Springs, you may have spotted what looks like a full-size fairy village along the side of the road.

Complete with gardens and various structures on about five acres is The Land. Explains founder Lesley Mortimer-Wallace and “fairy queen” herself, “The Land is a destination for community, connection and experiences within an open-air melting pot of gardens, artists, animals, organic produce and plants.”

Lesley grew up in England and made her way to Nashville through the music industry. After traveling with iconic musicians such as Guns N’ Roses, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Bieber, to name a few, Lesley bought a plot of land to begin her dream creation: a local, community focused co-op. Lesley says this spot is truly her dream and describes her carpenter husband, Steve Orchard, as “the builder of my dreams.”

Several structures made of reclaimed barns, silos and wood from local farms speckle the roadside, and so do gardens and animal enclosures. There’s a treehouse for events and creative days for kids, several rock walls and an English-inspired deli (The Yorkshire Farm Deli) that Lesley runs with friend Genevieve Neace.

At the center of the farm is Thrive Garden Center, run by Matt and Kate Pilcher. The garden center is located in a “Quonset hut” which they built themselves from reclaimed wood and windows.

In true co-op fashion, The Land consists of nearly a dozen independent businesses that work together creating a community space, including:

• Little Explorers Camp: A children’s day camp run by Chloe Hillard. She offers several camps throughout the year.
• Old England Rock Walls: Martin Beevers has partnered with The Stone Trust, based out of Vermont (a nonprofit, historical preservation organization), to teach workshops and private classes on how to create stunning no-mortar rock walls.
• Barnyard Experiences: While not an official rescue program, Lesley has taken in several domesticated animals to help Walden’s Puddle and local farms and families. They currently have about 80 chickens, one grumpy pig, two ducks and two babydoll sheep, Bonnie and Clyde. They offer barnyard experiences, where you can feed the animals and take pictures ($15 for 15 minutes).
• Harpeth Bluff Honey: Bottled by Kurt Snyder from hives on the property.
• Sunshine Daydream Farm: In a little black greenhouse they will grow produce; 80% will be for the deli and 20% will go toward their produce CSA.
• Everly’s: A cookie food truck that sets up on The Land every weekend. They make all of their cookies (and cinnamon rolls) from scratch. They also serve delicious homemade Italian sodas.
• K-Town BBQ: They join for two seasonal events. K-Town BBQ slow-smokes meat and makes unique homemade barbe- cue sauces.

Lesley is still dreaming and growing this magical spot. She is ex- panding the garden and recently received two reclaimed silos that are being transformed into bathrooms and an outdoor kitchen. Her husband Steve is constructing covered porches for the deli. She is definitely living off her land.

Events at The Land

Living Off the Land is a farmers’ market–style summer event on Sundays, July 2nd, 9th and 16th, noon–4:00 pm.

Winter Wonder at The Land is a European-style Christmas market with trees to purchase, local makers and live music. Saturdays, December 2nd, 9th and 16th, 10:00 am–2:00 pm.

The Land
1114 HWY 70 Kingston Springs, Tennessee 37082
thelandcc.com @thelandcc