Mission: Train new farmers & feed our community. Organic & regenerative methods. Internships also!
Tennessee
UPDATE *Needing folks especially from August through November 2024. Prefer minimum 1 month stay times, but shorter visits may be possible*
A diversified, sustainable fruit and vegetable farm run by former Peace Corps volunteers. In 2023 we are selling at 2 farmers markets, and through our CSA, and to several farm-to-table restaurants.
Our farm sits on 56 acres near Nashville, and consists of rolling pasture, wooded hills, and good bottom farm land. We have a long stretch of creek frontage and springs as well as our farm house, a greenhouse, three hoophouses, and two barns. The farm manager has practiced organic agriculture for over 20 years while working for farms and organizations around the world, and is thrilled to be entering his 7th year with his own soil to plant in Tennessee.
Methodology: We use all organic approved materials and methods with a plan to obtain certification in the future.
Activities: Picking, washing, weeding, seeding, transplanting, trellising, soil preparation, watering, mulching, composting, maintaining machinery/tools, fencing, irrigation, etc. Most work is done with hand tools and small machinery. Some non-agricultural activities are available. We are a young farm and have many small building projects. Cooking and canning are also helpful contributions.
Length: We suggest WWOOFers stay for between 3 weeks and a full season. 2 weeks is minimum. Expectations: Respect the land and the people. Clean up after yourself. Be reliable. Be kind. No smoking inside the house, active garden areas, or any farm buildings. Have fun. Potential WWOOFers should be in good physical, mental, and emotional health!
Accommodations: Rustic Glam Camping. We provide a tent and air mattress and bedding (or bring your own). The tent is really just for sleeping. At some times of year we have space available in our heated/cooled intern bunkhouse (but check with us about availability). We share common spaces in the farmhouse and barn etc from 6am to 10pm. RV is ok if you've got one. Composting toilet and outdoor shower available at all times. Indoor toilet and shower in the farm house available from 6am to 10pm. You can have your choice of multiple camp sites: wooded ridge top, creek side, near the new barn, or in the old tobacco barn.
MORE INFORMATION
We are open for WWOOFers between March and November. We might consider WWOOFers in December - February. We work hard and also like to have fun and relax. We expect the same from our volunteers. It is our intention to pass on knowledge about why and how we grow things to our volunteers, but we also consider ourselves life long learners and expect to learn many things from our volunteers as well. We are a very small farm, so as a volunteer you will not be just a cog in a big wheel. You'll be doing everything we do, with us. Please ask lots of questions. We also welcome and respond to feedback and suggestions, though be aware there will be a few things that just have to be done “our way.”
Transportation: There is no public transportation that comes to our farm. We are willing to provide transportation to and from Nashville on arrival and departure for those volunteering for 3 weeks or more. Volunteers will have the most freedom if they have their own transportation. Volunteers are welcome to ride with us on errands, to social/fun events, and to market. It is a great bicycling area.
Languages Spoken: We speak English & French. We enjoy visitors from abroad, and we can probably communicate the basics no matter what language you speak.
Children: We are not accepting children under the age of 12 at this time. If you have questions, please ask.
Pets: Visiting pets are not allowed. We have outdoor barn cats, chickens, and bees. We are likely to get a dog before too long.
Music: We like it, and we've been lucky to host a plethora of very talented musicians. We ourselves have drums and voices and a ukelele and very few actual musical skills. There is also a guitar and a banjolele floating around the farm. If you've got an instrument, by all means bring it along. We've got many talented friends and neighbors who like to play and we host a regular Thursday potluck and bonfire that often includes local musicians. We've hosted bluegrass fiddlers, classical violinists, rock guitarists, bassoonists, keyboardists, singer-songwriters and a range of other musical talents. What have you got?
Food: We eat fairly simple, practical meals using farm produce when in season. We primarily have a vegetarian diet with the addition of fish. You are welcome to prepare/cook your own meat dishes in our kitchen if you like, but we ourselves generally don't cook with meat other than seafood. We can accommodate vegans. We can also accommodate gluten free diets, but if you are very allergic, be aware that there will likely be gluten in the shared kitchen even if your meals are not cooked with gluten.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Beekeeping
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
22.3
Hectares
|
55
Acres
Accommodation
Jesse
Member since 2016
Languages spoken:
English, French
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 10 days
Tennessee
Nashville International Airport (BNA), or Nashville Bus Station (Greyhound, Megabus, Tornado Bus or other)
Reviews
Em
United States
•
August 2024
Jesse, Athena, and the interns they have working on the farm are so kind and welcoming. They are happy to answer questions and were very understanding of when I needed to shift work hours for personal things. When woofing here, it is more than just farm work, you are made to feel like a part of the community.
Laura
United States
•
October 2023
I had such a wonderful time! Jesse and Athena were great hosts and we always had great conversations. Lots of fun events with the community!
Jessica
United States
•
November 2020
I truly had the most amazing experience at Athena's Harvest. I was there for about 2 months and learned so many new skills from cooking rice to chopping wood to using a riding lawn mower! Athena and Jesse are very accommodating hosts and are very educationally focused. They really want you to learn new things and work on projects that interest you specifically. They are very organized, clear about expectations, and flexible as well. I would love to go back to this farm to further my education about organic vegetable farming and so many other things they have to offer. I really look forward to returning to Athena's Harvest one day.
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Maria
United States
•
October 2020
I spent 6 weeks at Athena's Harvest Farm and it was my first time WWOOFing. Athena and Jesse are incredibly hospitable and considerate. Everyone working on the farm was dedicated and wonderful to work with. The farm is not only gorgeous but also very well organized. I learned so many new skills and insight into organic and sustainable farming methods. I got to experience helping at the Farmer's market and even visit Nashville a few times in a COVID safe way! Help was always available whenever I needed it. The food and meals I shared with the farm crew were very delicious and so memorable. I had a amazing time!
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Julia
United States
•
September 2020
Athena’s Harvest Farm is such a wonderful place to WWOOF! Both Athena and Jesse are warm and welcoming, and they create a great environment for learning and community. Jesse is a really great teacher, and does a great job explaining things. I loved every day of my two months with them.
Olivia
United States
•
May 2020
I had a lovely 1 month stay at Athena's Harvest Farm. Jesse and Athena are very welcoming, the accommodations are comfortable, and the area is beautiful. I learned so much during my stay and am confident that I could not have chosen a better host farm for my first wwoofing experience.
