Sitting on acres of land south of the city in Smyrna, Bloomsbury Farm is more than a traditional farm. Owner and Farmer Lauren Palmer grew up on her parents’ growing land, always riding horses and four-wheelers out on their property. Growing up in a vegetarian home, and in a multi-generational farming family, her parents instilled the importance of knowing where food comes from at a very young age. Upon receiving her bachelor’s degree in Social Work & a Master’s in Management, Lauren merged her education and life-long desire to cultivate and provide the highest-quality organic produce to educate her community about the land and the importance of the food we eat. With her parents no longer focused on expanding their acreage, the Tennessee native decided it was time to turn the land into something even bigger than herself.
“I tell people my dad was a total hippie… he was in the landscape business and had a side passion of growing orchids, so flowers were a big part of what he stood behind,” she explains, on the inspiration behind the name. “Bloomsbury is also the name of an early 20th century artistic community in England, so it resonated with what we were doing and blooming. My dad always says, ‘bloom where you’re planted,’ and [having the farm] felt like we were being planted and were going to bloom here.”
The adventure officially began in 2009, when Lauren got her start selling her organic vegetables & sprouts at farmers markets. It didn’t take long before the farm expanded and Bloomsbury was producing a wide array of fresh vegetables, fruits, sprouts, and herbs for the markets, local businesses, and wholesalers in and around Nashville and the greater region. For Lauren, it was important to create a place where people could connect with the land and experience, firsthand, where their food comes from. Visitors were immediately captivated by the property's natural beauty—therefore, she quickly started to receive inquiries for everything from parties and photoshoots to weddings and special events. It has been one of her greatest joys to see how deeply the community has embraced Bloomsbury, making it a meaningful part of their own family traditions and memories. Each Friday beginning at noon, Bloomsbury opens its gates to the public for an afternoon of fresh air, connection, and farm-fresh offerings. Guests can browse organic produce and seasonal flowers, enjoy food from local vendors, and spend time unwinding with family and friends on a relaxing afternoon at the farm.
“From what I've seen, people honestly just need to come out and touch grass… if that's all that they want to do, then mission accomplished,” Lauren explains. “If you felt rejuvenated or you got some fresh air, or met a friend out here, that's simply what it's about. I mean, I'd love for you to take home a tomato too, but if you just needed the long drive out here to regroup, then I'm glad that you chose us. I love opening the doors on Fridays… it feels like a VIP before we go to market on Saturday. You get kind of the cream of the crop before the masses hit me on Saturday, so I love that early access kind of feel.”
Balancing running the working farm with creating memorable events and experiences for visitors is something Lauren and her team does best. She loves curating moments that feel special every time the gates open. In addition to their sought-after events, Lauren has found immense purpose in teaching her daughters the importance of slowing down, connecting with nature, and understanding where their food comes from—so much so, she created Bloomsbury Farm School. What began as a summer camp in 2020, quickly blossomed into making a dream reality by developing a permanent school on the farm. Bloomsbury Farm School is an ever growing, ever giving, ever learning, and ever loving weekly homeschool tutorial program. Grown to welcome over one-hundred students ranging from ages three to twelve—from preschool through fifth grade, the school has become a vibrant learning environment where hands-on education, nature, and curiosity come together on the farm. Bloomsbury Farm School is also one of the first in Tennessee to take the classroom to the farm.
"I had a three year old at the time we started summer camp and it was a blast," Lauren shares. "I couldn’t have the farm without the education or the education without the farm."
When asked what she hopes each student takes away from learning on their farm, Lauren shares, “that they were able to be themselves in a safe space… I think [these kids will] be the coolest, most out of the box thinkers… they jump on a log and pretend that they’re a frog, experience all the seasons watching the trees change alongside the school year… the creativity without the screens is super cool.”
Both gap and organic certified, Bloomsbury Farm is a reflection of the commitment to bring the highest quality and healthiest goods to our local community. Producing the finest sprouts and wheatgrass in Tennessee using organic seed and growing methods, Bloomsbury distributes their products to wholesale and retail locations—and you'll even find them in local grocery stores, such as Produce Place & Turnip Truck, as well as many restaurants. It also serves as a quiet place for the community to slow down, step away from the pace of daily life, and simply feel connected to the land and the people around them.
“I hear it more times than not that when [guests] hit the driveway, they take a deep breath, feel a sense of relief, and are on a mission to get their produce for the week,” Lauren shares. “So many kids ask if it’s Farm Friday yet… there is so much excitement around nature and growing and knowing where their food is coming from and where they are harvesting it. They’re taking some peace and quiet with them alongside their veggies.”
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“I couldn’t have the farm without the education or the education without the farm."
"...there is so much excitement around nature and growing and knowing where their food is coming from and where they are harvesting it. They’re taking some peace and quiet with them alongside their veggies."