Malarie McConaha and Tim Hunter: Stop #10 on the Arts and Ag Tour of Hickman County

Malarie McConaha will be performing with Time Hunter at Duck River Rose Farm both days of the tour.

When Malarie McConaha moved to Nashville in 2014 to launch her career as a singer and songwriter, she began hitting the local music scenes around the city most evenings while during the day, working at a Broadway boot store to pay the bills. That story is a familiar one for many music hopefuls, but for her, that part didn’t last long.

She had been hearing about a small town outside of Nashville, where many of her music icons live and play music in casual settings almost every day. A local open mic night seemed like a simple stop, but it would be the first of many that would change her life.

She quickly met friends and became close with many of the famous and not-so-famous talented locals who have become mentors, sponsors, dear friends, and fans.

“At first, I was a little star-struck, but that wears off pretty fast when you realize that they are normal people living normal lives,” says McConaha. “Being surrounded by great talent inspires your own growth as an artist.”

But don’t let her humility fool you. There’s a reason why the music veterans like working with her. She has a style that blends hints of Janice Joplin and Bonnie Raitt with undertones of Linda Ronstadt. But her style is all her own as she tells stories of conviction, love, mystery, and adventure in her original, unique music. She underscores her soulful voice and story telling ability with raw acoustic and electric guitar.

Her talents extend beyond music. After suffering a broken wrist one afternoon after playing a show, she developed a love of making jewelry, which she sells at every show. Her jewelry is also sold in shops across the nation under the name Copper and Clay.

McConaha will be joined by Tim Hunter to perform for two days at the Duck River Rose Farm on the 2016 Arts and Ag Tour of Hickman County. They will play covers by Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Guy Clark, as well as originals including McConaha’s “Smooth Talker,” and Hunter’s “Til the Hurricanes Are Gone,” which is currently on hold for George Strait.

Heritage Reclaimed Farm: Stop # 14 on the Arts and Ag Tour of Hickman County

Cows grazing at Heritage Reclaimed Farm

Heritage Reclaimed Farm will be a part of the Hickman County Arts and Ag Tour for the third time this year.  Established in 2012, Heritage Reclaimed Farm has all Middle Tennessee has to offer; rolling hills, open pastures, ponds, creeks and  springs. The Charles and Shona Shough family moved to middle Tennessee for the purpose of being part of a community of faith, establish better food systems, and to help serve their neighbors. Along with their two sons, Isaac and Valor, they are working hard to reclaim the land and the heritage of their homestead.

In their commitment to better health, and good stewards of the Land, they raise and sell Grass-fed Beef & Sheep, Organic Pastured pigs, and organic pastured chickens.

On Saturday of the Hickman County Arts and Ag Tour, they will be featuring a French Market and preparing their signature Organic Pork Stack Fry Bread Plate with slaw and French Beignets topped with Organic Jam.  You can purchase Organic, rustic, artisan bread, organic raw milk grass-fed cheese from an Artisan Cheese maker and purchase their meats directly raised on the farm. When visiting the farm, you will enjoy the scenic beauties of Middle Tennessee, and speak to one of their farm-hands and discuss grass-fed rotational cattle, chicken grazing and low infrastructure farm endeavours.

You can take a self-guided tour of the farm, or we can take you on a hay ride. You will be able to see and meet the animals that are a part of their everyday life. This day is sure to be memorable, and they invite all to come and take a stroll around the farm, and garden and enjoy the beauty of special homestead.

CALL TO ARTISTS, MUSICIANS & FARMERS

The Fifth Annual Arts & Ag Tour is coming up May 27th and 28th!

If you are interested in participating as an artist, crafter, musician, or as a farm on this back roads tour through Hickman County, please contact us at 931-628-0215 or email us at artsandagtour@gmail.com. More info and applications available to download and print from the link below. 

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! Participate on Friday or Saturday or both days. Stay tuned on Facebook, too!

2016_ArtsandAg_APPLICATION

 

Grinders Switch Winery, ArtsandAgTour2015, Hickman County, TN

Pinewood, ArtsandAgTour2015, Hickman County, TN

Heritage Reclaimed Farm, ArtsandAgTour2015, Hickman County, TN

Denny Adcock at Toyzini Gallery, ArtsandAgTour2015, Hickman County, TN

Duck River Rose, ArtsandAgTour2015, Hickman County, TN

 

 

 

Call to Farmers, Artisans and Musicians for the 2015 Hickman County Arts & Ag Tour

With Spring just around the corner, Arts & Ag is gearing up for the Fourth Annual Arts & Ag Tour of Hickman County which will be Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23, 2015. We are now accepting applications for farms, artisans, and musicians who would like to showcase their talents and their wares on the 2015 Arts & Ag Tour Map. Community Centers and local non-profit organizations are also welcome. Applications are attached here but they can also be picked up at Wild Duck Soup Emporium, 105 S. Public Square, Centerville, TN  37033 (931 729 0690) or downloaded here.

Applications must be submitted to Antonia Meadors at Wild Duck Soup Emporium along with the entry fee of $35 cash on or before March 15, 2014. From March 16th until April 15th, the fee is $45. Receipts will be provided.NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 15th.. The fee is waived for non-profits who submit their application in by March 15th, and for musicians who are willing to perform at a site – a display to promote yourself and sell your cds is encouraged. Space on the map is limited and there is a selection process so please submit your completed application as soon as you can.

Harvest Market Vendors!!

Just a few weeks away, our Harvest Market Vendors are working hard to have plenty of their home-grown and handmade products for you to enjoy! Here is a list of some of the 32 vendors and friendly faces you will find on October 18th!!
Claudie Mae’s Farm – petting zoo with ponies and Carl the Llama as well as farm raised pork and sausage
Mama’s Naturals – jewelry and clay bookmarks

Droplette Jewelry – healing salve and herbal tea blends

Jo Neace Krause Art – Fine art

Possum Hollow Farm – goat milk products and petting goats

JP Creatives – handmade picture frames and Xmas ornaments

Adventure Jewelry – handmade jewelry

Dale’s Barn Wood Imaginations – handmade benches, bookshelves, tables, etc.

Back to the Roots Farm – fall produce 

Woodchips and Sawdust – woodworking and hand-painted saw blades

Clara’s Kitchen – fried pies, canned goods, bread, etc.

Joanne’s Creations – Jewelry, sewing, baked and canned goods

Terra Bambino – organic baby bedding and unique gifts

Pinewood Farms – farm produce

Beaverdam Creek Farm – farm meats and produce

Woodworks – hand-made wooden boxes and other items

Holt Farming Company – information about herd-sharing dairy farm

Sheri Bulla Loofah’s and Wreaths — Bulla Farm–local grapevine wreaths and home-grown loofah

Woodworks–hand-made woodworked items

Glenda Lovell Art – prints and notecards or original artwork

LuLu’s – seasonal sweets and hot beverages

Four Directions to Health – chair massage

Sunnyside Farms–farm and herbal products

Natural Herbal Healing – herbal products

A & W Enterprises, LLC – custom handmade pens and woodcrafts

Barefoot Farmgirl – honey, hand knitted items, and skin care

Reclaimed Heritage Farm – fry bread, bakery and other farm produce

Totty’s Bend Goat Soap – goat milk soap and lotion

Hickman County Garden Club – plants

Grinders Switch Foundation

Council on Aging 

Clay Harris Theater

Hickman Health Council – kids activities and health info

Sunnyside Farm – herbal sprays, and culinary herb mixes

Bonnie’s Beads  – handmade beaded jewelry

Carl’s Calls – hand-made duck, deer, and turkey calls

Chef Sara Horowitz – gourmet BBQ and good eats!

And so much more!!! 

We can’t wait to see you!!

 

Arts & Ag Harvest Market – October 18th at Grinder’s Switch Winery

 

 

Arts & Ag Harvest Market 2014

Bringing the back roads Tour into a “one-stop” marketplace for Holiday shopping

‘Tis the season when crisp autumn air rejuvenates the spirit, multi-colored leaves light up the forests, and nature’s waning harvest reminds us to start stocking up for the winter ahead. The creators of the Arts & Ag Tour invite you to come celebrate the bounties of the season at the Arts & Ag Harvest Market, on Saturday, October 18^th from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Featuring some of the county’s best homegrown farm goods, arts and crafts, music, and award-winning wine, this outdoor market will set up on the picturesque grounds of the Grinder’s Switch Winery just off Highway 50 West in Centerville, Tennessee and offer a great opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Inside the Winery’s cozy, hand built log cabin, owners Gail and Joey Chessor welcome visitors to free tastings of their Tennessee wines. With selections from sweet to dry, there is something for every palette. Their four estate grown wines are named after old trains (inspired by the local train history of Grinder’s Switch) and each feature a classic locomotive on the label. Also inside the log cabin is a gift shop with wine related gifts, cheeses, snacks, and some local crafts. Learn more about Grinder’s Switch Winery and their many offerings at gswinery.com.

In addition to shopping the Harvest Market, visitors can savor smoked barbeque and tasty fixin’s (delicious washed down with a crisp glass of Dixiana, the Winery’s newest dry white) while listening to live music by Brown’s Giftshop Revival Band and many more! . Stop by the Arts & Ag information booth for information about what they do and why they do it, or just to say, “Hello!”

Stay posted for vendor spotlights and new details about the Harvest Market by subscribing to the blog at artsandagtour.wordpress.com, and “like” Arts & Ag Tour on Facebook. You can also visit Wild Duck Soup Emporium, the Unofficial Arts & Ag Headquarters, at 105 South Public Square in Centerville, or call 931 729 0690.

Mark your calendars now for October 18^th – you will not want to miss the Arts & Ag Harvest Market!

 

New Eden Farm Stop #16: Pastured Prok, Chicken and Goat Dairy-by Elise New

Over the hills, through the trees, and at the end of a bumpy dirt road, you’ll find New Eden Farm. When the road opens up into pasture, you know you’re getting close, and when the road ends, well, you’re there. 

At New Eden Farm, you’ll find a small herd of grass fed cattle, pastured pigs, diary goats, and an up-and-coming flock of meat bred chickens.

You won’t want to miss this stop on the Arts and Ag Tour! 

Pastured Pork

We will have a freezer full of the highest quality pastured pork you can imagine. I’m particularly proud of this one, having been one of the ones who lugged the daily bucket of whey-soaked non-GMO grain out to the heritage breed pigs. When we first started keeping pigs in the same pasture as the cattle, we weren’t entirely sure how we would keep the cows from eating the pig’s grain, but the aggressive nature of the pig makes it a non issue. That pig isn’t going to leave any room for a cow to stick her head in the trough!

Goat Cheese

Goats are definitely another favorite thing of mine. Whereas Gabriel, my husband and founder of New Eden Farm, is a cattle lover all the way, I like to spend my time with the goats. 

You’ll definitely want to sample our herb infused goat cheese while you’re here! There is just nothing like it.

The mild flavored, finely textured cheese is only one reason I love goats so much.

Goat  Milk Soap

Goat milk soap is unparalleled in the world of soaps for its skin softening power. From the first day we used it, we knew that there was no going back to conventional bars! Add in some amazing smelling essential oil blends, and a few beautiful botanicals, and you have something really special. 

Making soap has become one of my greatest pleasures here on the farm, and we will have eight different varieties here for you to see and smell, including an insect repellent bar.

Goat milking Demonstrations

I could go on all day about the benefits of having your own dairy goat, and why they’re a better choice for small families – especially those of us with small children – than a cow, but my space here is limited, so be sure to come for one of our 10:00 A.M., or 2:00 P.M. milking demonstrations, for an earful, and be sure to bring your questions with you!

Patured Chicken

We are so blessed to have the Lemmon family for neighbors. There couldn’t be a kinder, sweeter, more giving family on the planet. 

The Lemmons have been raising pastured poultry for their own family’s use for some time, and now, their nutritious chicken is available to the public. We’re thrilled to be able to host them for this year’s Arts and Ag Tour, and will have a freezer full of these delicious birds packaged and ready for you. (So bring your coolers!)

Homemade Bread

There is just nothing better than homemade bread, is there? I’m so happy this year to be able to offer our Amish style homemade bread, in both white, and whole wheat varieties, as well as cinnamon rolls. 

Our bread contains only five ingredients – all of them easily pronounceable. In fact, you probably have all of them in your pantry already (flour, salt, yeast, oil, and a smidgen of sugar). There are NO preservatives, and NO chemicals in homemade bread, and you won’t find anything this soft and fresh in a store! Be sure to try it while you’re here. 

Blacksmithing Demonstrations

On Saturday, Dustin Morgan will be giving blacksmiths demonstrations. I’m rather looking forward to this. There’s something about a forge and an anvil that just take me back to the Wild West. Old school blacksmithing is not something we have he opportunity to see every day, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity!

Homemade Jams 

In addition to all these things, we will have a selection of delicious homemade jams and jellies available. I’m in love with our grape jam. Made from locally sourced Concord grapes, it packs a punch of flavor that frankly, I’ve never tasted in a jar of any commercial brand. I never thought I’d say that grape jam is my favorite, but I must admit, it’s very close to knocking apricot out of the top spot! 

Are you drooling yet? I am! 

See you this weekend!

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Elise is the home and dairy manager at New Eden Farm, and author of frugalfarmwife.com where she blogs about simple living, farming, and shares gluten-free recipes.

Stop #20 Features Self-Taught Artist Glenda Lovell

Glenda Lovell is a self-taught artist who enjoys bringing new life to images of our not so recent past. She specializes in homesteads, old buildings, and barns. The latest addition to her portfolio is note cards which usually transform us to another time and place with historically significant structures or scenes. Each card contains a scripture reference that captures the essence of Glenda has a passion for art as well as history. She has found a way to preserve both in the gift for which she is so richly blessed. Glenda will be at Stop # 20.

Goat Crazy at Stop #12

Join the goat craze on the Arts & Ag Tour at Stop #12, Tottys Bend Soap Farm, where Arts & Ag founding member, Vanessa Davis, and her husband Nate raise Nubain dairy goats for their goat milk soap making enterprise. Tottys Bend Soaps are a local favorite and are even carried in regional Whole Foods Markets. Take advantage of their special deal, Friday only during the Tour, 3 bars of their famous soaps for only $12.

While at Tottys Bend Soap Farm, learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about small scale goat husbandry from Nate and expert herd manager, Pam Hethcote of Possum Hollow Farm. Pam raises Lamanchas and Alpines so you will be able to see three breeds of dairy goats and learn the differences between them. All the goats at Stop #12 are friendly creatures and you are welcome to pet and interact with them. Nate and Pam look forward to answering your questions and sharing their passion for these amazing animals. You’ll learn what makes goat milk so good for you, both inside and out and see what feeds and minerals are essential for goat health and quality milk. You can even try your hand at milking one of Pam’s goats.

Pam will also be selling her line of Star Brite goat milk soaps and lotions. So there will be a huge selection of high-quality handmade goat milk body products to choose from. But that’s not all! Going goat crazy also means free samples of fresh goat milk and goat cheese. Plus a tour of Nate’s milk parlor, and live music by singer song writer, Charlie Pate.

Tottys Bend Road is one of Hickman County’s most scenic back roads. Stop #12 is one of three unique places to visit on Tottys Bend Road during the Tour. Their neighbors at Duck River Rose and The Tottys Bend Community Center will also be open for visitors both Friday and Saturday.

French Market, Dairy Cows, Free-Ranged Chickens, Organic Meats, Breads, Tea Blends and More at Stop #30

Heritage Reclaimed Farm, established 2012 has all Middle Tennessee has to offer; rolling hills, open pastures, ponds, creeks & gravity fed springs. The Charles and Shona Shough family moved to middle Tennessee for the purpose of being part of a community of faith, establish better food systems, and to help serve their neighbors. They are raising their two sons to reclaim the land and the Heritage of their homestead.

In their commitment to better health, and good stewards of the Land, they raise their happy pigs, content chickens and blissful bovines using organic feed and chemical free pastured grass. During the 2014 Hickman County Arts and Ag Tour, they will be featuring a French Market, displaying nostalgic items from the farm, and explaining the different farm ventures they are involved in. You can purchase Organic, rustic, artisan bread, organic raw milk grass-fed cheeses, pastured organic sausage and pork chops, and homemade tea blends. When visiting the farm, you will enjoy the scenic beauties of Middle Tennessee.

They will be featuring a lunch plate of smoked, shredded open face pork sandwich on fried bread, with a large serving of fresh organic homemade cole slaw. If you desire something sweet while visiting, they will be making French beignet fry-bread topped with strawberry jam and /or powdered sugar. The pork used for the lunch plate was raised in their own wooded glens and pastures, and fed all organic feed and vegetables.

On the tour, come and meet their Heritage Large Black Hog named Queen of Sheba. She is very friendly and loves to have her picture taken. New to the farm, is a 2 week old Jersey calf named Bullet. You may experience milking one of their two Jersey A2 milk cows; Isabella and Martha Dean. You may also learn how to build and setup a chicken tractor, or rotate their herd of Devon and Angus Cattle. This day is sure to be memorable, and they invite all to come and take a stroll around the farm, and garden and enjoy the beauty of special homestead.