KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — If you’ve ever traveled down Western Avenue near downtown Knoxville, you’ve probably passed right by a community farm that produces and donates tens of thousands of pounds of food each year while also providing an educational and community space for volunteers.
The Community Action Board’s Beardsley Community Garden produces more than 65,000 pounds of food, grown and harvested by more than 1,500 volunteers, to be donated to local residents in need.
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Community gardens also provide accessible education and resources through a variety of programs, and they help provide a space where low-income residents can grow fresh produce while spending time together as a community.
In addition to field trips, farm camps and paid farm apprenticeship programs, they partner with other community organizations such as the Knox County Beekeepers Association, which mentors and works with new beekeepers to manage honey bee hives on community farms.
The farm has several areas where a wide variety of plants are grown, including a greenhouse, a small corn field, a berry patch, flower beds, etc. The farm also has a compost area and chickens.
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Beardsley Community Farm is funded by the City of Knoxville and Knox County through the Community Action Center and is maintained by a small staff, a team of AmeriCorps members, and volunteers from the Knoxville area.
On Friday, June 14, WATE will be volunteering at Beardsley Community Farms as part of Nexstar’s community service anniversary. To learn more about the farm and how to get involved, visit www.beardsleyfarm.org.
