Our 60-Acre Working Farm Campus Comes of Age
Come See What We’ve Been Up To!
The Farm Campus at USA Regenerative Agricultural Alliance in Greeneville/Greene County Tennessee is taking its first steps, so to speak: It has become viable in less than 4 years and has been a whirlwind of projects and plans ever since! It is ready now to welcome visitors from across the USA (with a special focus on Greene and adjoining counties).
Productive from the start
After many brainstorming meetings with current staff members and friends; and further discussions with farmers, ranchers, and homesteaders, the founders (Russ and Kiki B. Israel) gave an Okay and seed money and this baby began to grow. A no-till in-ground demonstration garden, a high tunnel, a small hoop house, and then several raised beds were added the first year. Adventures and mishaps with ventilation led to installing accessible electricity in the growing area.
As all babies do, we tripped and fell over and over, in this learning-to-be process. Finding people with a passion for regenerative practices, establishing reliable Farm Campus managers, and getting each one up to speed has been challenging, but we have made it so far.
As with everything else, the years of COVID brought its own set of hindrances. Yet in the midst of that, we added the South Poll steers and began a daily rotational grazing program. A cafeteria-style mineral sled and fresh daily water are important keys to this program.
More land was leased or purchased and the campus now consists of about 60 acres! We are at least toddlers now, and continue toward our goals.
Good parents
What is USARAAI all about? The short answer is: “We are about people and regenerative agriculture!” Our desire is to teach folks how to be responsible for the use and care of this planet we all depend on, whether it be through livestock management, growing things without chemicals, making a living on the farm, or simply being aware of how each of us affects others with our actions.
Bringing awareness to the fact that without clean air, soil, and water, nothing lives is at the root of what we do. Nature has given a clear example of how all life – from under the soil, to the upper atmosphere – is symbiotic. The Farm Campus is our living example.
Growing like a weed
In the flurry of activity for the last 2 years much has changed on the campus. Another in-ground demonstration garden, a vermicomposting bin, more raised beds, pollinator gardens, and honeybees have been added.
The degraded soil/pastures needed more, properly-rotated livestock, so we began pasturing sheep/lambs and goats, in partnership with Drew Wilson. Cluck Ranch, in southern Missouri, is our role model here.
Chicken tractors filled with young chickens are also a big part of revitalizing our lands. Ours are being grazed for SLAP Farms, which has been a wonderful experience for our staff!
Following the rotational grazing principles of Greg Judy, South Poll cow-calf pairs rounded out the program in 2022.
What’s in the works? Lots!! We have plans for a state-of-the-art kitchen for future canning purposes; an expansion of our market of fabulous grass fed/finished South Poll beef; and a good presence at the Farmer’s Market this year, with lots of fresh, chemical-free produce!
A new, larger hoop house, an additional beehive, more raised beds for community use, more pollinator gardens, more workshops for networking and education, and the complete redo and beautification of our “gathering space” (hopefully in time for the Summit 2023 in September)!
Maturing to fruition
The long vision? An orchard, more animals, produce and canned goods to sell, a mushroom-growing project, and growing the outreach to anyone who is interested in better farming and livestock practices.
We’d love to have you come and visit, and maybe become a part of our mission of education and outreach. You will enjoy watching all the animal activities, checking out the different gardening methods, asking questions, and maybe getting your hands in the soil.
The Farm Campus endeavors to fulfill the original vision: a pretty, fully-functional, available, accessible space where folks will want to come and visit, and maybe sit and stay awhile!
We sincerely hope that what you learn from us will benefit you, your land, and your family for life. The ripple effect of that has the power to roll on, benefitting many. Greene and her surrounding counties are fortunate to have this teaching venue available to the community.
Conclusion
Will you join us in Greeneville, Tennessee on September 27-29, 2023 for our 5th annual Regenerative Agriculture Summit?
If so, give us a call at 888-574-9472 or send us an email at contact@usaregenalliance.org.
