Regenerative agriculture with Bluestem Hollow, Bales Farms and Lois Shuler Caughron

by Amy Campbell

S10:E27. 07/08/2023

Today we visit with Tennessee farmers who practice regenerative agriculture with emphasis on beef and news about the upcoming Appalachian Homecoming. A three-day event celebrating and studying modern Appalachian cuisine and farming issues. Our guests include:

  • Christopher Burger, Brenna Powers Wright, Carrie Garvey, and chef Robert Allen of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN.
  • Aliceson Bales of Bales Farm is located in Mosheim, TN. She and her family raise pasture-raised beef, chicken, and pork, and she shares her recipe for Beef Roast.
  • Lois Shuler Caughron and her daughter Ruth Davis of Maryville, TN. Louis and her late husband Kermit Caughron were the last residents of Cades Cove, which was their home before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Louis and Ruth share memories of Kermit, his bees, his love for fruit, and saving cucumber seeds.
  • And news about an upcoming event, “Appalachian Homecoming,” a 3-day event with ticket options. It is also part of the New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center’s annual fundraising event, “Bacon at the Bear, built around Allan Benton’s bacon. Christopher Burger will be a speaker during the educational component of Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro’s Appalachian Homecoming, which will take place August 4-6 at Dancing Bear Lodge and Appalachian Bistro, which is located in the Peaceful Side of the Smoky’s in Townsend, TN. And other speakers include Allan Benton of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams - James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Sean Brock who is behind McCrady’s, Husk, Audrey, The Continental Nashville, Joyland, and June restaurants. And many more speakers. That incredibly talented Wyatt Ellis, the 14-year-old musician and mandolinist, will perform on Friday night.

Links:

Appalachian Homecoming: https://dancingbearlodge.com/event/appalachian-homecoming-2023/

Bales Farm: https://balesfarmstn.com/

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/

Christopher Burger, farmer and owner of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell 2023.

Grassland beef from Bluestem Hollow, and sausage from Lick Skillet Farm. Both Tennessee farms practice regenerative agriculture. Photo: Amy Campbell 2023.