Hello Again From Tennessee!

My last post was three years ago.  Our goals have been refined.  The area where we are looking for land is around the Summitville, just west of South Cumberland State Park.  It feels like home every time we visit.  Summitville is located an hour from Nashville, and an hour from Chattanooga, which is perfect for hitting major farmer’s markets in two big cities.  Our plan is to build a tea and herb business, and after it starts making some money, to bring some of our friends into the business.  

We also want to attract like minded people into the area, and create a community.  One group might have a focus in dairy, one in textiles, one in construction, etc.  More of a traditional interconnected village than a Commune or intentional community.

Currently, we are waiting on the housing market to align with our purchasing power.  Right now though, in addition to the price for land not being right, is the issue that there really isn’t a lot of land on the market in the area we want.  This situation made me want to reach out and see if there were any other people out there that might be interested in the same area, that might want to throw their lot in with us in a bid to get a larger property in the future.  People that have been scrimping and saving for a homestead like us, because the prospect of debt slavery is appalling.

A bit about us, we are a couple in our 30’s.  Our spiritual beliefs are basically a hodgepodge of overlapping ideologies from Eastern and Western belief systems.  What it boils down to for us, is respect and love for each other AND the Earth and all her creatures, and the understanding that we are all connected, and all one, creating the future together.  We respect the beliefs of others as long as they do no harm. We believe everyone has their own personal spiritual path.  Our goal is to strive to live in balance with nature, and those immediately connected with us, whether person, plant, or animal.  We are accepting of all races and sexual orientations.  We are introverts who value our alone time, but are always game to help those we care about.

Even if we don’t find any others on this forum to attain our goals with, I just want to thank you for reading our post and sending good vibes our way:)

Good morning Jamie.
We have similar ideas but in different areas.
There is currently a group of 10 of us discussing creating a community in Northwest Arkansas.
It's a beautiful area with access to farmer's markets.
If you are up for thinking about Arkansas please let me know and I can add you to our Facebook messenger chat group and or our texting group.
Thanks,
Fred

Oh I’ve definitely read that post and have been keeping up with the entire thread! That’s actually what inspired me to post again:). I’m really happy for you guys and I hope it works out.  You all have a lot of great ideas that align with ours.  We did actually consider checking out Arkansas a few years ago.  But every time we go to South Cumberland, there’s such a deep ineffable feeling of coming home.  Also, our families are mostly in Tennessee.

That being said, I’d love to stay updated on your progress.  It’s inspiring to learn about people coming together to create sustainable community.  I believe in this uncertain world, these communities are the key to our survival and freedom...or at least refuge from the chaos.  

Thank you so much for your post, it gives me hope!

Oh!  I’d still love to join your Facebook messenger chat group!  My name is under Sunshine Kennedy.  Thanks!

I see several Sunshine Kennedy's . You might send me a friend request to https://www.facebook.com/ftenny.

Hi, I'm moving to Nashville proper for work at the moment, but I am highly interested in permaculture. I haven't gained any experience besides some novice gardening projects, but I thought I'd introduce myself at least! That sounds like it would be a lovely community to build, and it's a beautiful area.

Awesome!  I really only know the basics of permaculture.  I’m planning on doing research into what native plants will work best for a permie setup in our area.  Where are you from originally?

Well I am originally from California but I currently live in Chattanooga, so not too far away! At my current house I've been mostly letting things go and observing what the pollinators like. I planted some daikon radishes this spring in spots to help break up the red clay a bit, and I seeded some more clover. Succeeded with a few propagation attempts (elderberry), failed with some others (killed multiple blackberry cuttings). I'm also in the research phase for native plants and different potential guilds. Generally, I struggle to visualize design elements and imagine proper placement of features, so the concepts of permaculture are pretty difficult for me to wrap my brain around... which is a bummer because I find it so neat and just want to get involved!

Thought I'd throw this out to everyone trying to break up red clay soils. Grows easily here & tastes great.

TN Red Valencia peanuts

I just dig runaway blackberry brambles up by the roots.  I’m not sure if I’ve ever tried to root them.  Elderberry must be super easy...this year I accidentally knocked a branch off, and stuck it in a nearby pot, and it grew like crazy.  We’ve done daikons before.  This year there was a lot of tiny clover in the beds, and it seemed to do well as a sort of living living mulch.

Design and visualization aren’t my strong suit either.  Graph paper helps me when I’m designing bed layouts.  

Thanks for the heads up on the peanuts.  It’s good to know there’s a Tennessee variety.  I grew them a couple of times, but I don’t have a lot of space at present.  I love them boiled with garlic and cayenne!

According to the UT ag department it's the only type of peanut that will grow in TN.

It’s possible those are the ones I grew.  I bought them from a local co-op.  They did really well too!

I have a farm just south of Nashville between Franklin and Murfreesboro. I currently have donkeys, muscovy ducks,, chickens, bamboo, orchard, cattle and bees.The Harpeth river wraps around the farm and has multiple springs and ponds. If you have a project you've been wanting to do but don't have any land to do it on. I would be willing to talk with you

Hey Jamie!! Thanks for your response to my post. I wouldn’t mind taking a ride to see your place and meet you guys. Email me at rw.arborcare@gmail.com and we’ll talk about it. I could even come today!! There’s nothing else going on here today so if you get this message let me know!! Thanks again man🙏👍🏻