Beginning Farmer Support

Offering workshops, mentoring, and support for beginning farmers across northeast Tennessee

The Quilt Trail

A folkart movement across America, to tell the story of place and community and promote local farm businesses

Sowing Seeds of Success

“Sowing seed, helping feed, inspiring youth to take the lead” with Build It Up through weekly after school programming for little kids and capacity building and teen employment at local high schools

Land and Water Conservation

Helping farmers and families conserve working lands and waterways for the benefit of future generations

Gardener Story: Carolyn Andrews

Gardener Story: Carolyn Andrews

So far, so good in my second year of gardening with Build It Up. Participation in Build It Up the first year taught me the importance of a garden plan and crop rotation, and everything I have planted so far this year seems to be thriving in its location. The program...

Gardener Story: Rebecca Stephens

Gardener Story: Rebecca Stephens

One of the parts of this garden project I love the most is the sense of community that I receive when we pick up the plants or attend the workshops. Gardening, at its best, is a communal activity. In an idealized world, I would have learned the arts of companion...

Tomato Planting

Tomato Planting

With summer fast approaching and our summer plant distribution coming up later this week I thought a tomato planting primer was in order. In the years I've been growing food these are some of my favorite tips for getting good tomato plants in the ground.  ...

Gardener Story: Brandi Eveland Sayers

Gardener Story: Brandi Eveland Sayers

I am excited to be with the BIU Gardening Program again this year. It is such a wonderful program and I have learned a wealth of information. I look forward to celebrating the successes and failures of all of our efforts. I have learned that sometimes a plant just...

Garden Irrigation by Gardener Jacqueline

Garden Irrigation by Gardener Jacqueline

Drip Irrigation for the Home Gardener Drip Irrigation is not for everyone or for every situation, but this no-till gardener with a DIY drip system can no longer imagine growing small fruit and vegetables in East Tennessee without one. Drip systems have benefits and...