Farm Profile: Motte & Bailey

After 20 years of being fallow, the Blevins family farm in Washington County (Buncomb Hill Rd) returns to production for community. 

In 2025, Tanner Blevins (above) left corporate America, taking a leap of faith with his wife Becca and their two small children. First, they were participants in the ARC&D Build It Up (BIU) Program, where they learned the basics of gardening and were provided with all the materials, resources, and connections to be successful in their journey. Then, they decided to sign up for ARC&D’s Field School where they got to visit local farms and write a business plan, providing them with more access to networking, resources, and funding from partner organizations.

They rebuilt Tanner’s grandfather’s fields and farm store infrastructure right off Cherokee Rd (Highway 67) to plant a market garden and open the doors to customers again.They turned their living room into a greenhouse as they got ready for planting season.  Their kids helped them plant seeds and water. Several of their crops had great yields such as tomatoes, beans, and okra. They were encouraged by meeting people at the Johnson City Farmers and having several enthusiastic and loyal customers each week. Their first season was a year of discovery, experimentation, and growth at their farm. 

You may have seen them as Motte and Bailey Farm, at the Johnson City Farmers Market, selling a variety of fresh vegetables.

“We  are endlessly thankful for ARC&D for their knowledge and support. We never could have done this without the Build It Up program and Farm School!”

In 2026 they are planning on planting fruit trees as well as fortifying best seller crops from last season.

“We’re looking forward to a growing season full of learning- we grew (literally and figuratively) and learned so much last year, and are thankful for an opportunity to put it to practice for another year.” 

Customers can support them during the 2026 season at two farmers markets: the Johnson City Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, the Erwin Farmers Market on Friday evenings, or at their farmstand on 365 Buncomb Hill Road, Jonesborough TN. You can also reach them on Facebook or Instagram (motteandbaileyfarm).  They post their farmstand hours regularly, as well as what they will be bringing to the market each week.

Their video interview with Amy Lynn DayTime Tricities, complete with photos and video, in 2025 is below: