Our Story
In our rural East Tennessee farming communities, the very places where crops are grown to feed the world, many face food insecurity and the issues associated with it. Century Harvest Farms Foundation grew out of the desire to fill that gap. After almost a decade of sustainable farming and producing grass-fed beef, owner of Century Harvest Farms, Chris Burger, wanted to share the farm with his community. In 2017, Chris met then homeless service coordinator, Jen Patterson, and they shared the belief that all individuals and families deserve access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food.
Upon result, they piloted a small-scale program that taught agricultural skills and gave participants access to fresh produce. After piloting the program, they knew that the needs of the community were far greater than just food. During this time, they decided to expand past the program to create Century Harvest Farms Foundation that is focused on empowering, training, and helping folks who are in recovery to become employed and create sustainable futures for their lives.
The Farm
The Fields
Century Harvest Farms Foundation has 350 acres of pasture and farmland located in Greenback, TN. The farm serves as an experiential classroom, and training center, for makers in recovery to learn sustainable farming techniques, how to grow their own garden, and utilize farming equipment. The produce grown on the farm is used in our culinary training courses, donated to local food banks, given to our Makers in recovery to take home to their families.
The Herd
The farm is home to pasture-raised, heritage breed cattle which provide our grass-fed beef and artisan charcuterie products. Makers in the From the Ground Up Program learn how to take care of our livestock, create nutrient-dense fields for cattle consumption, and so much more!
The Kitchen
Our USDA and FDA facility provides a classroom and training facility for our makers in recovery. In our kitchen, Makers learn how to create healthy meals for their families, train underneath of our culinary team to gain cooking skills, and learn how to create our 100% grass-fed beef charcuterie. All of the revenue from our UDSA certified charcuterie offerings, go directly back into our From the Ground Up Progam to create more learning opportunities for our Makers in recovery.
Our Values
RESPECT
We value the differences that are in our community and celebrate them.
INTEGRITY
We engage in agricultural practices that are ecologically sustainable and strive to create sustainable programming that benefits all participants, no matter their background.
INITIATIVE
We strive to lead by example in our community, both through our agricultural practices and educational programming.
TEAMWORK
We are one team and one voice.