Sulphur Creek runs through the agricultural haven of Bells Bend in west Davidson County and the Old School Farm property before emptying into the Cumberland River. The farm protects Sulphur Creek by distancing its growing area from the waterway, maintaining a riparian buffer around it, and utilizing farming methods that promote healthy soil. The farmers ensure that agricultural byproducts like fertilizer and loose soil don’t enter the water. These efforts have a direct impact on the health of the Cumberland River, which supplies drinking water to over 3 million people and thousands of plant and animal species in Tennessee and Kentucky.
The nonprofit “care farm” operates with a dual mission to employ adults with disabilities and provide nutritious produce for families experiencing food insecurity. The farm crew, led by David Cloniger, grows a mix of produce, herbs, and flowers that are largely distributed through The Store, a free grocery store on 12th Avenue South, which allows customers to shop for their basic needs with dignity.
Community is a key tenet of Old School Farm. This year, they are offering a series of “Preservation Education” workshops open to the public. These low-cost workshops provide a hands-on opportunity to learn traditional ways of preserving herbs, flowers, and produce. Visit oldschoolfarm.org/events to sign up for workshops on natural dyeing in July, tomato sauce canning in August, flower wreaths in September, and homemade marshmallows (from the marshmallow plant) in October.
Old School Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so you can support their efforts to keep our shared waterways clean with a donation. Additionally, Old School Farm is seeking ongoing sponsorships to employ farmers with disabilities and provide fresh food to families experiencing food insecurity.
Learn more at oldschoolfarm.org. Follow @oldschoolfarm on Instagram.
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