Statements
Mission
The mission of Fed By Faith is to grow food by sustainable practices to donate, aiding with food insecurity in middle Tennessee. Our program offers agricultural opportunities teaching conservation methods for soil and food sustainability and builds community involvement.
Background
In 2008 Lori Birckhead had a very vivid dream where she saw beautiful pastures, ponds and trees. She heard a voice say, "Buy land, grow food, and give it away." This was quite the vision because she had never grown anything! Lori felt she was the furthest thing from being a farmer, and yet the dream persisted over a three-year period. During that time, she tried to barter her way out of the calling, donating money and even preparing food for the homeless through church, but the dream continued. Finally, in March of 2011, Lori and her husband Jim stepped out in faith and bought the farm. Lori and Jim knew very little about farming, the whole process of buying the farm was a giant step of faith. Therefore the name, By Faith Farm was fitting for the faith journey they were on with their farm. They prayed for guidance as stewards of whatever God had in store for this farm, and he provided wisdom every step of the way. For the last eleven years with the help of many volunteers, mentors, and experts, By Faith Farm has been able to donate thousands of pounds of produce to families in Middle Tennessee facing food insecurity. The Farm has grown to become a community of people sharing the workload of the food growing process all the while sharing faith. In November of 2021, Lori Birckhead, Christy Palmer and Sarah Schmiedeknecht founded Fed By Faith a 501c3 charitable non-profit. The non-profit recognition has helped the farm look forward to create a structure of sustainability for the future of the farm's mission. The mission is the same as when the farm began, grow food for donation, build community and share faith in the process. The non-profit goal is to expand the community involvement and offer more opportunities for others to join in the farming processes. Fed By Faith is a community of people giving back to the community. Today, this farm is the farm Lori saw in the dream. It is a beautiful 97 acre property not only with pastures, ponds, and trees, but also gardens, both flower and vegetable, prayer paths, trails, cows and so much more. The physical beauty of the farm is a reflection of how it fosters connection, unity, and love among those who are fortunate enough to be part of it.
Impact
Fed By Faith is growing the most nutritious food for food insecure Nashville area residents using regenerative and conservation practices. Fed By Faith is meeting the need for experiential education by hosting classes offered to the general public on regenerative farming, no-till gardening, herbs and their uses, water gardens and conservation practices.
Needs
Fed By Faith is in need of monetary and in-kind donations.
Repair, replace or purchase of farm items to make our mission more efficient and ultimately be able to donate more food to those in need.
1. Repair the broken 4-wheel drive on the farm tractor
2. Repair of compost spreader implement
3. Repair of the leak in the well water irrigation system
4. Gravel for high traffic area
5. Infrastructure to support the growing involvement of volunteers to include: bathroom facilities, educational pavilion, and additional driveway for large equipment and buses.
6. Battery operated backpack sprayers for food gardens
7. Garden tools to include commercial wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes.
8. Greenhouse supplies: rubber mats (20), nursery carts (2), starting trays (without holes), gloves.
CEO Statement
Fed By Faith is unique from other farms because our mission is to grow the healthiest food by organic and sustainable means in order to contribute to food insecurity in Middle Tennessee. When the farm started in 2011, there was great uncertainty concerning how things would turn out. However, a deep connection to the ministry and a calling to feed those in need kept the mission going (and growing!) In addition, to learn back then that 1 in 7 Tennesseans faced hunger and that fresh produce was a luxury for many was extra encouragement that we were doing important work. We prayed for people to come and help us, and prayers were answered then - and they continue to be answered now. By Faith Farm feels honored to be able to provide food for others, and we are in awe of the journey the farm has taken the past eleven years, to the present 2021, where we are a newly formed 501c3, now called Fed By Faith at By Faith Farm.
A favorite part of what we do at the farm is seeing large crates of produce (that we grew!) loaded on the truck for distribution. It brings great joy and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment because it is in that moment that we know we are doing what we were intended to do, we are feeding the hungry. There is another part to the mission that has become clear over the course of the last decade in working with others. This farm is not about any "one" person, but it is about all of us. Every kid. Every tenant farmer. Every volunteer. Every person has a story, a story of faith, grief, trial and triumph. It's in working with others we share our stories. Throughout this process we realized the mission at Fed By Faith is two fold, it's about growing food and growing faith.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - Food, Agriculture & Nutrition NEC |
| Secondary Category: | Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - Nutrition |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
Our 97 acre farm is located in Joelton, Tennessee which is just on the edge of Nashville. We grow food for Nashville and surrounding areas.
| TN - Davidson |
