/
Print
Services
Residents
Business
Visitors
Government
City of Knoxville
Blogs
City Blog
City, Partners Break Ground ...
City, Partners Break Ground for Beardsley Farm Education Center
The City of Knoxville, the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) and the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design broke ground today for a 1,200-square-foot education center at Beardsley Farm, 1719 Reynolds St.
The education center will include space for processing honey and vegetables from the gardens, an office and long-needed indoor accessible restrooms, in addition to a 400-square-foot outdoor classroom. The new facility is a commitment to sustainability, with a solar-ready roof, rainwater collection options, natural daylight features, and water-efficient fixtures. The majority of the building will be constructed using local materials.
Beardsley Farm is a non-profit urban community farm operated through CAC that’s been promoting food security and sustainable agriculture since 1998. The farm is located in the City’s Malcolm-Martin Park, and the City contributed $150,000 to the new education center.
“Beardsley Farm is a local treasure and a great pioneering model for urban agriculture,” Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “Beardsley grows organic produce and is a home to bee colonies and chickens. All the food from the farm is donated to CAC’s Mobile Meals program, local food pantries and families in need of fresh produce.
“Every day, Beardsley opens its doors to visitors, volunteers and families from across Knoxville to teach them how to grow their own food. Creating this education center will take Beardsley Farm’s teaching to a higher level, which will help more families.”
Other partners in the CAC project include Thompson Charitable Foundation (which donated $25,000) and former Mayor and Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe (who gave $5,000). Stonepeak and AIA East Tennessee are additional contributors.
“CAC and everyone who gardens and volunteers at the farm appreciates the generosity of the community in making the education center possible,” said Barbara Kelly, CAC’s Executive Director. “Knowledge about food production and good nutrition strengthens our families and neighborhoods. Our partners are essential to our ultimate success.”
Another major partner in building the education center is the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design, whose staff and students are helping to design and construct the building as part of the Design-Build-Evaluate Initiative. More than 40 students and four faculty members have been involved in the project to develop the design approach and refine the construction documents in partnership with local professionals.
General Shale is donating 30,000 bricks for the project and recently provided masonry training for the UT students.
CAC contracted Beth Eason Architecture to do the design and Merit Construction to serve as the contractor. The Public Building Authority is the project manager.
For more information on Beardsley Community Farm, visit
http://beardsleyfarm.org
.
Posted by
On 09 June, 2015 at 2:36 PM
Recent Posts
Work Begins on Sevier Avenue Streetscapes; Look for Regularly Scheduled Project Updates
Postcard Photo of Augusta Quarry in Snow: Check Out the 9 New Swim Platforms!
Revolutionary War Veteran Honored With Victor Ashe Park Gravesite Restoration
Smokies Baseball and One Knox Soccer: Careful Collaboration Makes for 'A Great Fit'
12 Days of Public Service
Popular Market Square Ice Rink Set Attendance Record in 2023; On Pace to Set New Record This Year
Bike/ped safety improvements on Henley Bridge benefit all road users
Bracing for Winter's Wrath: City Plans for Snowy Weather, Stocks Up, Is Ready!
Henley Bridge Lights Might Rival Rudolph's Red Nose
Augusta Quarry Update: New Bathrooms Built, Pathway Grading Close to Complete
Archives
January 2025 (4)
December 2024 (5)
November 2024 (1)
October 2024 (5)
September 2024 (1)
August 2024 (2)
July 2024 (2)
June 2024 (1)
May 2024 (1)
April 2024 (4)
March 2024 (3)
Group Blogs
City Blog
KAT Blog
KPD News & Alerts
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project
More...
Post Categories
City Events
City Services
Cumberland Ave.
Downtown
Government
KAT
Mayor Kincannon
Meetings
Neighborhoods
Outdoor & Recreation
Public Safety
Redevelopment
Road Work
South Waterfront
Sustainability
Content Alert Subscription
Blog Feeds
Podcast Feeds
Subscribe to Email Alerts