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Even though I've heard the name Beardsley Farm thrown around quite a bit the past few years and have participated in Snow Day, their winter fundraiser, for the longest time I've had no idea what they are all about. Until yesterday.

Katie Ries invited me to take a tour of the farm. She is one of four AmeriCorps workers there, and she gave me a much-appreciated rundown of what happens on the urban development farm. If you read no further, just know this: It's really really awesome what Beardsley Farms does.

First, and I think most importantly, did you know that they don't sell any of their produce? Well, I didn't. They give it all away to organizations like the YWCA and Food Not Bombs. They also use organic practices, no pesticides and all that stuff. This philosphy in itself is pretty amazing to me: to give the very best to those that cannot afford it.

Another function of Beardsley is to provide community beds where anyone can coordinate with them about planting and harvesting their own food. Food in the Fort has about five beds that they use for their program to feed the homeless. Something I think is pretty sweet as well is that next to the community beds, they have a gleaners bed with produce that anyone passing by can take.

The more I learned yesterday, the more I wanted to know how to help them.

My first proactive endeavor is to ask you to consider going to their next fundraiser called "Raise the Roots" on Monday November 22. Mahasti Vafaie, owner of the Tomato Head, and head cook of the Maryville T Head, Robert Birkholz, are going to prepare a meal for all those attending to help raise money for the farm. The event is at the Tomato Head in Market Square and you can buy tickets in advance here.

The fact that this private event is at Tomato Head sells itself, and for a mere $25, to have a seated meal prepared by the owner of one of the best restaurants in Knoxville (and maybe the world), with all the planning and preparation that go into events like this, well, it's a steal.

Some of the ingredients will be provided by Beardsley, and Tomato Head is providing the rest. Alcohol is not included but will be available for purchase.

Need a date? As an added bonus you can take Knoxville's 72nd best blogger, yours truly. Take a ticket, gentlemen, and get in line.

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If you can't attend the event, Here are other ways you can help and support Beardsley Farm:

You can donate money.
You can donate tools, materials, and seeds.
You can donate time by getting your hands a little dirty. Just call or email them.
You can spread the word to your friends and peers.
If you're a teacher, plan a field trip with them.

Oh, and they have bees!!

Beardsley Community Farm
1719 Reynolds Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37921

My dear artist friend Beth Meadows is a lovely soul and is now showing in downtown Knoxville. You can see for yourself some of her work at the Tomato Head on Market Square from now until May 2 in a show titled "The Sound of a Train at Night: Paintings and Prints by Beth Meadows." After that her work will magically transcend from downtown Knoxville and alight on the Tomato Head in Maryville from May 3 - June 7.

The show went up this past Saturday at TomHead HQ so I stopped in to check it out. Despite the fact that it is a sit down joint, the Tomato Head is a great place to view art. While savoring your Kepner Melt you can get a taste of something even better and you don't have to eat it (and it's free)! Beth's work, based on memories from childhood, will evoke memories of your own as it takes you through dark lit streets with power lines hanging overhead or into an empty living room set aglow by the light of a television set.

Whatever your taste demands, Beth's show is worth checking out. See my personal favorite between the windows on the right wall in a small frame. Stop in, grab a bite and enjoy one of Knoxville's best kept secrets.

UPDATE: Beth also has work hanging at Blackbird Coffeehouse in Sequoyah Hills. Check it out: http://www.blackbirdcoffeehouse.blogspot.com/