About us
Honoring the land that built Nashville.
.jpg)
Urban farmland is rapidly disappearing, creating extreme economic challenges for the local farmer, and greatly reducing access to high-quality healthy food for the greater community.
Acknowledging this, River Bottoms Farm has created a farming collective offering affordable and accessible land leases to the next generation of Nashville farmers.
History of the farm
James Gleaves and his wife, Margaret Sexton Gleaves, moved to The Bend in 1960 after being displaced by the passing of the Interstate Highway System. For over 20 years, James Gleaves ran a Grade A Dairy on a farm he mule-plowed himself. The Gleaves have owned and farmed their land for over 60 years – a period before Briley Parkway existed.
Now named River Bottoms Farm, a portion of the farm has been reimagined into an urban farming collective offering affordable and accessible land leases to the next generation of farmers with the guidance and blessing of Ann Gleaves Ferrell, daughter of James and Margaret.
Our values at a glance
Community
-
We cultivate connection. We believe in fostering strong bonds between farmers, consumers, and the land. We create a space for collaboration, shared knowledge, and mutual support.
-
We celebrate diversity. We value the unique perspectives and backgrounds of our members.
-
We share the harvest. We believe in equitable access to healthy, locally produced food. We support initiatives that address food insecurity and promote community well-being.
Education
-
We empower through knowledge. We provide educational resources and workshops to foster a deeper understanding of sustainable farming practices.
-
We learn from the land. We embrace traditional and innovative methods, continuously seeking to improve our agricultural skills and knowledge.
-
We share our expertise. We believe in open communication and knowledge exchange, fostering a learning environment for all.
Growth
-
We steward the environment. We are committed to practices that regenerate the land and promote biodiversity.
-
We adapt and evolve. We embrace continuous improvement, seeking new ways to enhance our agricultural practices and collective model.
-
We invest in the future. We actively seek opportunities for collaboration and innovation, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the collective.
Our farmers
Alex Bice
Cooper Creek Farm
Tonya & Michael Bradford
Una Acre Farm
Liz & Paul Lassiter
Lost Weekend Farm
Ian Fraser Dawe
The Honey Collective
Events & Programming
Exciting things are in the works! Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed as events and programming are scheduled.