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Greenscapes
The Baileys apply sustainable principles to operate the farm and have developed the nonprofit Crabtree Farm of Chattanooga, Inc., as an educational and research site for sustainable organic agriculture. This spring, Crabtree Farm opened a 1.5-acre community garden that was quickly leased to 18 individual growers. They plan to expand next year. For further information, call McNair or Will Bailey at 423.493.9155.
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On Saturday mornings there is a steady stream of folks gathering at a 200-year-old farm on the banks of Chattanooga Creek in urban South Chattanooga. They are there to buy cut bouquets of crayon-color zinnias and cosmos, farm fresh eggs and healthy produce from organically grown Shitaki mushrooms to the yellow squash. Women from nearby neighborhoods sell freshly-baked lemon pound cake and Little Sequatchie Cove Farm’s Bill Keener, with his children in tow, offers the same line of fresh cuts of meats served in some of downtown Chattanooga’s finest restaurants, 212 Market and Southside Grill. Many are there just to enjoy a romp through the plowed fields and help their children understand that okra isn’t always found in the freezer section at the grocery store or that real roosters don’t necessary sound like their electronic toy versions. 
The Chattanooga-based Lyndhurst Foundation has helped with “seed” money to start this community-based Locally Grown Farmer’s Market, the first of its kind in the region. In 1998, Bobby Davenport with the Trust for Public Land coordinated the donation of the land, that was once the family farm of the Crabtrees and McGauleys of Lookout Mountain, to the City of Chattanooga. Farmers McNair and Will Bailey lease the property from the City for $1 per year with the requirement that the property remains in agriculture production. They live on-site and have invested their skill, hard labor and patience in the cultivating of the land over the past several years. Printable Version | Email to a friend | Add to favorites | Larger font
