Jeff Poppen, a Midwestern farm boy, helped develop an organic farm and Tennessee homestead in the mid-1970s, and ten years later began applying biodynamic principals and making the preparations to do so. His livelihood comes primarily from vegetable and cattle grown on the 250-acre Long Hungry Creek Farm, where cows, compost, and community keep the land vibrant and productive. Jeff advocates for a more peaceful agriculture by mentoring young farmers and gardeners, along with a bit of lecturing, consulting, hosting events, and facilitating a few new farm enterprises. His style of old-time farming comes from paying close attention to what elder farmers thought, felt, and did, and by studying how farms were managed before agricultural chemicals were first manufactured on a large scale over one hundred years ago. Like his animals, he gets his food from the farm.

The theme for this year's summit (2023) ~ Cultivating Cooperation

a few panels to participate in:

• Starting a cooperative business in Tennessee
• Lunchtime keynote panel, Dec 2nd, moderated by the co-director of Southeast Center for Cooperative Development.
• Building a Seed Commons

Keynote panel Friday, Dec. 1st - Building a Seed Commons from an Indigenous Peoples Lens.

As we enter into the holiday's here are some ideas on ways to reduce your footprint while still being festive and merry!