Tell us about Bluestem Hollow.
Our rolling farm with scenic views is in beautiful Greenback where we focus on Grassland Agriculture, fresh seasonal vegetables, and catering using our farm fresh products. Since 2007 Bluestem Hollow has been grazing cattle and selling directly to the community. Our USDA Tennessee Grassland Beef is pasture raised without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. On our farm, we have a large commercial kitchen and processing facility where we prepare our dinners and catering. We are fortunate to have on staff Chef Robert Allen, formerly of Citico’s, who heads up the menus for our dinners on the farm, and catering events. We also have an event venue on the farm, where we offer corporate picnics, showers, weddings, birthdays, and family reunions. We have a large vegetable garden and offer a CSA and raise chickens on pasture for farm-fresh eggs.
What is your role on the farm?
In short, I am the Farm Manager and oversee our fruits, vegetables, chickens, and the CSA program. That said, we all wear a lot of hats on the farm.
Tell us about your Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA program, at Bluestem Hollow.
Through the month of April, we are offering CSA signups. The community pays a retainer fee so we know how many participants we have. We offer full and half shares. With a full share, the customer receives a CSA box of fresh fruits and vegetables each week, and half shares receive a CSA box full of farm fresh fruits and vegetables every two weeks. This is called community-supported agriculture because the community makes a deposit to the farmer at the start of the season to secure their spot and for the farmer to know how much to grow. It is essentially giving the farmer “seed money” and the customer receives a box of farm fresh produce straight from the farmer each week or every other week. This way, the farmer is assured of the commitment from the customer to purchase the product, and the customer receives higher quality, fresher produce throughout the growing season, which is of higher quality than big box stores, and supports community agriculture. All the food grown or produced at Bluestem Hollow is sustainably and locally raised.
What are the extra perks to the customer’s CSA box?
Each time the customer receives their CSA box, it includes a descriptive email of what the customer can expect to find in the box along with Chef Robert’s video on cooking tips for what is in the box. We also offer add-ons such as honey, eggs, charcuterie, and pasture-raised beef.
Is there a deadline for signups for the CSA?
We’re signing up customers through the end of April.
Are the CSA boxes delivered?
Yes, we offer weekly delivery to Knoxville, Maryville, and Greenback.
How do I sign up?
Just visit our website Bluestemhollow.com, or email me directly at Brenna@Bluestemhollow.com
Join Amy Campbell-Rochelson weekly at The Tennessee Farm Table Podcast & Broadcast for stories of Food, Farming, and Folklore. Listen on your schedule by podcast at TennesseeFarmTable.com or listen in on your radio Saturday mornings at 9:00, 89.9. WDVX, Knoxville, 2:00 WUTC, Chattanooga and Sundays at 1:00 from Radio Bristol.