Mid TN--The Farmers Storehouse

I have now been in a store with a framed picture of Sepp Holzer on the wall. Life is good, folks!

There were eight other Permie heroes on that wall too, because…yesterday we visited  The Farmers Storehouse (971 Smithville Hwy. Sparta, TN 38583). “Beyond Organic” is explicitly a part of everything they do. These folks want to build up an alternative to the modern dietary/agricultural status quo with their business operations—they are advertising to get regenerative farmers to partner with them.
 

The Farmers Storehouse is a retail store, mill, and bakery, specializing in products from regenerative agriculture. Beautiful jars of ancient grains, the cleanest meats I have ever seen (with a breathtakingly complete list on the freezer case of everything that their beef and chicken are free from), and refrigerators full of edible flowers and herbs, as well as products from bees, jams, natural lotions and beauty products and more stock the store. But that wasn't all--besides ingredients and supplies, we could eat in, too.

Our experience in their bakery eating bread products with these ancient grains was delicious. I brought home a loaf of spelt bread, too. The store and objects for sale were all in wood, metal, and marble, so it was an aesthetically delightful experience, as well as a tasty one.

They were running a brisk business early Saturday afternoon, which was good to see. Interestingly, they advertise that they accept payment in the form of GoldBacks. How beautiful it is to see concerned citizens creating something that will 1) educate others, 2) provide possibilities and abilities for average citizens to shift their daily choices, and 3) shine forth a beacon for other retailers to imitate and (hopefully) eventually saturate the culture. Bravo to these intrepid folks and their beautiful operation!

Greetings Rachel,

If you live in the area, just south of you (Van Buren County) is an Old Order Mennonite Community.  It is between Spencer and the town of Dunlap.  One Mennonite has a buying club for grass-fed all natural meats and does most of the butchering himself.  Another gentleman sells just about any organic grain/legume in bulk 40/50 pound bags depending on the item.  He'll even order a specific grain if he doesn't carry it.  The community has a nursery, gardening tools and horse drawn farm equipment too.  The prices are really good and they are a friendly bunch of people.  If in the area you should visit and spend a day at Fall Creek Falls State Park the largest state park in Tennessee.  The Upper Cumberlands are an amazing place to visit and live!

Blessings...Hugh

Hugh Holland wrote:Greetings Rachel,

If you live in the area, just south of you (Van Buren County) is an Old Order Mennonite Community.  It is between Spencer and the town of Dunlap.  One Mennonite has a buying club for grass-fed all natural meats and does most of the butchering himself.  Another gentleman sells just about any organic grain/legume in bulk 40/50 pound bags depending on the item.  He'll even order a specific grain if he doesn't carry it.  The community has a nursery, gardening tools and horse drawn farm equipment too.  The prices are really good and they are a friendly bunch of people.  If in the area you should visit and spend a day at Fall Creek Falls State Park the largest state park in Tennessee.  The Upper Cumberlands are an amazing place to visit and live!

Blessings...Hugh

Thank you so much! Very good to know. We get our milk from some Mennonites out in the Lynchburg area. It's wonderful what they are doing. I appreciated the tip! My mother will too, when I let her know. Many blessings to you too!

Rachel,

On a side note, the Old Order Mennonite community here also has a feed store where they make the feed themselves and also sell brand items.  The prices are amazing and you can purchase organic/non-gmo feed too.  I purchase non-gmo feed (50 pound bags) for less than half what the local co-op and big box stores sells gmo feed for.  If you purchase in bulk, it's worth the drive if you're not local or check with your local community and see if they carry/sell it.

Blessings...Hugh