In early December 2017, Nashville’s Montgomery Bell Academy became a hub for Tennessee’s local food movement as farmers, gardeners, educators, and food advocates gathered for the Tennessee Local Food Summit. This three-day event, running from the evening of December 1st through the afternoon of December 3rd, offered a rich program of workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen the region’s food system. For anyone passionate about sustainable agriculture, soil health, and community-based food networks, the summit was a vital convergence point—and for Living Roots Compost Tea, it underscored the growing recognition that healthy soil is the bedrock of local food.
A Gathering of the Local Food Community
The Tennessee Local Food Summit has long served as a platform for diverse stakeholders to share knowledge, celebrate successes, and address challenges. The 2017 edition at Montgomery Bell Academy drew participants from across the state, including small-scale farmers, urban gardeners, chefs, food policy advocates, and representatives from farmers markets and co-ops. The atmosphere buzzed with shared purpose: to build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system in Tennessee.
Keynote speakers and panelists—drawn from local nonprofits, agricultural extension offices, and successful food enterprises—provided insights on topics ranging from farm-to-school programs to the economics of direct marketing. Attendees left with practical strategies for expanding access to fresh, locally grown produce and for fostering stronger connections between rural producers and urban consumers.
Workshops and Learning Opportunities
With over a dozen breakout sessions across the weekend, the summit offered deep dives into essential subjects. One popular track focused on soil health, where experts discussed the role of organic matter, cover cropping, and compost in building fertile, living soils. Another series explored permaculture design, urban homesteading, and small-scale livestock management. A dedicated stream on food entrepreneurship helped aspiring business owners navigate certification, marketing, and distribution.
For Living Roots Compost Tea, the workshops on compost and soil microbiology were particularly resonant. Attendees learned how compost tea can boost beneficial microbial populations, improve nutrient cycling, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. Several sessions highlighted practical protocols for brewing and applying compost tea in garden, farm, and nursery settings. The summit reinforced that soil is not just a growing medium but a dynamic ecosystem deserving of careful stewardship.
Supporting Local Farmers and Producers
A strong local food system depends on thriving farmers and producers. The Tennessee Local Food Summit provided a critical space for these individuals to connect with one another and with consumers. Farmers shared tips on season extension, pest management, and direct sales strategies, while buyers from restaurants and grocery cooperatives discussed their sourcing needs. The summit also featured a mini farmers market where local vendors showcased products like honey, artisan cheese, heirloom vegetables, and pasture-raised meats.
Networking sessions allowed participants to exchange seeds, contact information, and ideas for collaborative projects. Many left with newfound partners—whether for joint marketing efforts, community-supported agriculture (CSA) share distributions, or shared equipment purchases. The event underscored how collective action can help small farms survive and thrive in an era of consolidation and tight margins.
The Role of Soil Health in Local Food
Underlying all discussions of food production was a central theme: soil health. Throughout the summit, speakers emphasized that nutritious, flavorful food begins with vibrant, biologically active soil. Conventional farming methods that deplete organic matter and disrupt soil life ultimately undermine long-term productivity and food quality. In contrast, regenerative practices—including composting, reduced tillage, and diverse crop rotations—build soil carbon, retain moisture, and support robust plant growth.
Compost tea, as a tool for delivering beneficial microorganisms, aligns perfectly with this philosophy. At workshops and informal conversations, Living Roots Compost Tea’s approach to brewing aerated, biologically diverse extracts resonated with farmers seeking to minimize chemical inputs. One session even included a demonstration of tea brewing equipment, showing how easy it can be to incorporate this technology into daily farm operations. As one participant noted, “Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy food and healthy communities—and compost tea is a simple but powerful way to nurture that foundation.”
“Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy food and healthy communities—and compost tea is a simple but powerful way to nurture that foundation.” — Summit attendee
Looking Forward: Building on the Summit’s Momentum
The 2017 Tennessee Local Food Summit planted seeds of change that continue to grow. Participants returned home with new knowledge, stronger networks, and renewed motivation. Many took immediate action: establishing on-farm compost piles, starting school gardens, or forming buying clubs with fellow attendees. The summit also catalyzed regional collaborations that later led to new farmers markets, food hub development, and policy advocacy for local food procurement in schools and hospitals.
For Tennessee’s local food movement, events like this are essential. They provide a recurring opportunity to celebrate progress, troubleshoot obstacles, and dream bigger. As more people recognize the deep connections between soil health, food quality, and community well-being, the momentum behind local food only grows. Living Roots Compost Tea is proud to be part of this ongoing effort—and we look forward to similar gatherings in the future, such as the Upcoming Events and the NC State’s 18th Annual Vermiculture Conference, where the conversation continues.
Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or a backyard gardener, the lessons from the Tennessee Local Food Summit are clear: local food systems require collective care, and that care starts with the soil beneath our feet. By nurturing our soil with compost and compost tea, we invest in a future where nutritious food is accessible, agriculture is regenerative, and communities are connected from the ground up.