Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, Tennessee

by Amy Campbell


S10:E12. 03/25/2023 Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, Tennessee

Today we are setting the table with a farm visit. We visit with a farmer, garden manager, farm manager, and Chef from Bluestem Hollow, located in Greenback, TN. They also operate a downtown Knoxville urban farm - The Old City Gardens on Depot Ave. On the Greenback farm, they raise grassland beef, chickens for pastured eggs, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, along with a lovely event venue. Chef Robert Allen (formerly of Citico’s) is on property. He creates elevated farm-to-table meals on the farm for baby showers, weddings, and corporate events, and he also heads the catering program. Today, we focus on their CSA program that they are signing people up for now and hope to have all shares sold by early April.

We also hear from Lois Caughron, known as the last woman out of the cove, meaning Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This used to be her and her late husband Kermit Cughron’s home. Lois and her daughter reminisce about Kermit, his love for honey bees, honey, and saving cucumber seed.

Links:

Bluestem Hollow: https://www.bluestemhollow.com/aboutcsa

For more information on Lois and Kermit Caughron: http://www.cadescovepreservation.com/

Emi Sunshine (sang our theme song when she was 9 years old): https://www.instagram.com/theemisunshine/reels/

Chris Burger, Karri Garvey and Brenna Wright of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell.

Chef Robert Allen of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell.


Bales Farm Cookbook, Lard, and Marshall Bales Egg Program

by Amy Campbell


S9:E29. 08/20,27/2022

Bales Farm Cookbook, Lard, and Marshall Bales Egg Program

Today, we are setting the table with news about an excellent cookbook from Bales Farms written by Aliceson Bales. She has been a visitor several times on this show before. Aliceson, her husband Barry Bales, and their 15-year-old son Marshall own and operate Bales Farms in Mosheim, Tennessee. A 6th generation family farm. And Barry is a multi-grammy award winner, having played with Allison Krauss and Union Station for thirty-plus years. Today Aliceson will share information with us about lard from pasture-raised animals. The differences between lard, how to render lard, some nutritional benefits in lard, and cooking applications. Marshal Bales tells us about his egg program that he runs on the farm and has for several years. Marshall is 15 years old. Dolly Parton wrote the forward for this brand new cookbook that Aliceson wrote, and I want to share that with you. And, Aliceson shares a recipe from her new cookbook with us for white cheddar pimento cheese. She suggests pulling this out to handle the crowd when they first show up at the house.

LINKS:

Bales Farm: https://balesfarmstn.com/

Bales Farm Cookbook: https://balesfarmstn.com/store/product/bales-farms-cookbook