THE FARM - American Vegan Society

The Farm is in Tennessee
near a little town called Summertown. It is what some people
call an intentional community,
meaning that it was built for a
specific group of people, for a
particular purpose—to create a
place of peace and freedom.
Back in 1970 a group of
around 300 people left San Francisco on a journey called The
Caravan. Sixty school busloads
of hippies set out to spread their
message of nonviolence (and the
vegan practice), and to look for a
place to call home. In 1971 they
purchased a 1700 acre piece of
land that became known as The
Farm. According to their spiritual
mentor Stephen Gaskin, it was
going to be a demonstration project for a sustainable future—a
nonviolent eco-friendly community of pioneers; and that is just
what it became.
One of their keys to sustainable living was a vegetarian diet
based on soybeans and homegrown vegetables. Almost everything was made from scratch. The
soybeans were made into tofu,
soymilk, tempeh, and even “ice
bean”. Many people look to The
Farm community as pioneers for
soy foods in North America.
By the early 1980s, The
Farm’s population rose to almost
1,500 people. They even sprouted
little satellite communities and
farms in Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin, California, New York,
Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan,
Virginia, Canada, and Ireland.
They were also running relief operations in Central America, the
Caribbean, Africa, Bangladesh,
and the South Bronx—a worldwide operation in constant communication with Tennessee via
ham radio and television.
Come to
THE FARM
says Cory Davis
Solar School at The Farm Photo AVS
The Farm has its own school,
its own soy foods plant and a
tempeh lab. Book Publishing Co.
is there, an electronics firm, gourmet mushroom spawn production,
construction businesses, and a
media center. They also have an
amazing group of midwives who,
through their record of successful
births, gained much ground for
the entire midwifery movement.
Although many people have
left or moved on, The Farm still
leads and pioneers models of sustainable living. It has undergone
restructuring and the population
is now about 200 people. Residents live in family homes instead of communal buildings,
people have their own bank accounts rather than a communal
pot, and the school charges tuition, so some families opt to send
their children to public schools.
I went to The Farm for the first
time in January of 2004. I was on
the CARE (Compassion for Animals Road Expedition) tour at the
time. Of all the places I would be
going on this 41-state tour, it was
the place I looked forward to seeing most of all. From the first
time I learned about its existence,
I was impressed. It seemed like
the kind of place I would want to
live. I was not disappointed. The
people were interesting—and
open-minded. They work hard,
yet they also know how to have
fun. The whole place is peaceful
and welcoming, surrounded by
wilderness, with beautiful trails,
and a stream flowing through.
I was really impressed with the
school, which is unique compared
to the schools I’ve been to. This
school is one of the biggest solarpowered buildings in Tennessee.
The Eco-Village Training Center
is also amazing. It is a place
where people can come and learn
about sustainable living, including organic farming, permaculture, and natural building. To
learn more about these programs,
check out their website at
www.thefarm.org/etc/courses.
The Farm has the some of the
best soy ice cream I’ve had!
I returned for the Unity Festival in April 2004, and am greatly
looking forward to going back in
August 2005 for the American
Vegan Society Summer Conference. I encourage everyone who
has the opportunity to come to
make it a priority. It will not only
be a wonderful learning experience, but lots of fun!
See www.thefarm.org,
www.thefarmcommunity.com.
Cory Davis is a 17-year-old animal
rights activist currently campaigning
for humane alternatives to dissection
in school, and against the Canadian
Seal Hunt. He directs youth programs
for The Responsible Animal Care
Society in Kelowna British Columbia.
American Vegan 4-4, SPRING 2005 27
American Vegan Society Summer Conference
Wednesday August 10 to Sunday August 14 2005
at The Farm in Summertown Tennessee
Where
Summertown Tennessee is
near the population center of the
United States and lies about 75
miles south of Nashville on TN20
between US43 to the east and the
Natchez Trail Parkway to the
west. To reach The Farm from
the north, drive through Summertown to the Lewis County border,
turn right onto Drakes Lane and
then right onto Walker Road
which will bring you to The Farm
Gate and The Welcome Center.
Summertown’s elevation favors
summer breezes, hence its name.
Sightseeing
Before or after your stay you
may want to visit places of interest in the area: Meriwether Lewis
State Park, an Amish Community, Blackburn Farmstead and
Pioneer Museum, and the Saturn
Plant in Spring Hill.
Traveling from the east spend
some time on the Blue Ridge
Parkway (Virginia and North
Carolina), or in Kentucky’s
Mammoth Caves.
Vickie Montagne stands outside The Welcome Center at The
Farm Gate. The Tempeh Lab is
on one side of the building.
AVS Photo, December 2003
Travel:
If coming by air, fly to Nashville.
The Greyhound Bus stops at
Etheridge (8 miles from The Farm).
Airport pickups will be mid-morning
and mid-afternoon. Cost is about $25
each way (depending on how many
riders). Reserve pickup service in
advance through Vickie Montagne at
The Farm (see below).
Conference duration
Check-in is from 10 am to 6 pm on
Wednesday 8/10, or by arrangement.
The first meal served is Wednesday
lunch. The last meal served is
Brunch on Sunday 8/14.
Registration, camping, and
dorm fees should be mailed
or faxed to AVS.
American Vegan Society
PO Box 369
Malaga NJ 08328
(856) 694-2887 –Phone
(856) 694-2288 –Fax
Check or credit card accepted.
————————————————————————
Farm Housing, and airport
pick-up reservations should
be made with:
Vickie Montagne
34 The Farm, Walker Road
Summertown TN 38483
(931) 964-3574
[email protected]
Payments by check, made out to
[[[[[[[[[
The Farm Education Conference
Center (FECC).
Registration Fees cover meals,
program attendance, and use of designated facilities.
Adult: $325
Under 18/Full-time Student: $275
Child (under 12, w. child care): $250
Register early to avoid disappointment as numbers are limited.
These prices apply until May 31.
Thereafter add $50. After July 5
phone AVS for space availability.
Accommodation Options:
Camping is beside the road leading to the Community Center on
well-drained ridges. Bring your own
tent, camper or vehicle; + all equipment: bedding, towels, etc., for your
needs. Faucets are along the back of
the field. Toilets, outhouses, or PortO-Johns® nearby. (If you are not experienced campers, practice in advance.)
Adults + 12 & up $30 for 4 nights,
Child (under 12) $20 for 4 nights
Inquire about RV space @ $15, or
$20 (with a/c), per night.
Men’s / Women’s Dormitory, next
to Community Center
(Limited number of beds. Phone
AVS before remitting fee.)
Air-conditioned. Linen package consists of sheets, pillow and blanket.
Bring towels.
Adults $75 for 4 nights.
Farm Housing, at varying dis-
tances from Community Center:
Generally $20/person/room night.
Second person in room is $10 extra.
A child is $7 extra. Bathrooms are
shared. Some rooms may offer airconditioning at extra cost.
Early reservations advised.
Phone first for availability and to
indicate your need: (931) 964-3574.
Cancellation Refund given on
request on or before July 18 of 90%
of all fees paid.
28 American Vegan 4-4, SPRING 2005
Motels are in Mt Pleasant (10
miles), Lawrenceburg (15 miles),
Columbia (30 miles). List available.
Please do not bring: animals,
alcohol, drugs, guns, other weapons.
No smoking, please.
Insects Stay on paths and mown
areas to avoid chiggers. Dress appropriately. Bring repellant and first aid.
Bring flashlight, swimsuit, towels,
and sunscreen. Wear a money belt as
there are no keys to lock doors.
Bicycles are very useful for getting
around. (Note: meals, lectures, camping, dorm & Ecovillage are closely situated. Farm Store, swimming, cooking
classes, houses are 1 to 2 miles away.)
Meals will be prepared under the
direction of Roberta Kachinsky and
Ramona Christopherson, longtime
members of The Farm community,
who have been doing quantity vegan
cooking for small and large groups
(up to 1,000 people) for 33 years.
When not catering conferences or
Kids to the Country programs, they
operate Bert & Ray’s Deli, which
sells takeout dinners, soysage, tofu
salads, tofu cheezkakes, and other
comestibles eagerly picked up by
people on their way home from work.
The meals we have eaten at The
Farm have been superb, the result of
years of experience in vegan hospitality. Here, many cooks work in
harmony. The quality of soy products is tops due to FarmSoy’s own
plant which produces tofu, soymilk,
soy yogurt, and tempeh with the
natural spring water on site.
AVS is confident that those who
attend the conference will find the
food alone is worth the trip!
Meals will be served in the Community Center; Lectures there
and in the School across the road.
Both are air-conditioned. The school
building will house the AVS Conference office and our book room, also
Child Care (2 to 6 years morning
and early evening), and Exhibits.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE will
Speakers
Program, subject to change, will
feature these authors, who have titles
with Book Publishing Co:
Jo Stepaniak, MSEd
(The Ultimate UnCheese Cookbook,
Being Vegan, Vegan Sourcebook,
and others).
Brenda Davis, RD
(Defeating Diabetes, Dairy-free &
Delicious; Becoming Vegan, The
New Becoming Vegetarian –with
Melina).
Vesanto Melina, MS, RD (Healthy
Eating for Life to Prevent & Treat
Cancer, Food Allergy Survival
Guide, Raising Vegetarian Families with Stepaniak, and more.)
Karen Davis, UNITED POULTRY
CONCERNS, (More Than a Meal,
the Turkey in History, Myth, and Reality; Prisoned Chickens, Poisoned
Eggs; Instead of Chicken/Turkey)
Cherie Soria, RAW FOOD CHEF,
CULINARY ARTS, (Angel Foods)
Alan Goldhamer, DC, TRUE
NORTH HEALTH CENTER, Eating
and Fasting expert (Pleasure Trap,
Health Promoting Cookbook).
Speakers from The Farm will
talk about the beliefs and philosophy
of the community, and the businesses there which fulfill needs for
right livelihood. They include:
Louise Hagler, editor and author
of cookbooks (The New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook, Tofu Cookery, Lighten
Up, Meatless Burgers, and more).
Louise also works with Plenty to
improve nutrition in poor regions of
Mexico. Cynthia & Bob Holzapfel,
editor, production and sales Book
Publishing Co; titles on cooking,
health, and sustainable living. Barb
Bloomfield, cookbook author (Flax
the Super Food, Soup’s On, Fabulous
Beans), Frank Michaels, Mushroom
People, Shiitake growing workshop.
Doug Stephenson, Village Media,
guided hikes, History of The Farm,
Albert Bates, Ecovillage projects.
The Farm Youth Band
Others to be announced, including speakers on Soy Foods, and
Midwifery.
KIDS’ VEGAN
SUMMER PROGRAM
For ages 7 to 14
August 7 to 14 2005
Ecovillage, The Farm, TN
Andy Mars, PhD, will direct a
program for boys and girls aged 7
to 14, who may attend with or
without their parents.
Andy, who has a PhD in Education, runs Camp Exploration and
the Students Taking Action &
Responsibility Today programs.
( See American Vegan 4-2 , and
www.KidsMakeADifference.org.)
This full week experience will
dovetail with the American Vegan
Society Conference. The kids will
explore, and learn in an active
hands-on style. They will prepare
some of their meals.
Ecovillage is a living classroom. Conference speakers will
present lessons uniquely designed
for young folk. We will get out and
about, and have fun, with a caring
attitude to life.
Accommodation will be in dormitories. Families may camp bringing their own equipment. Plan to
arrive Sunday afternoon August 7
before 4pm.
Please register by May 31.
After then, phone for availability.
Fees for 7 days & nights:
Program and meals:
$475 (ages 12-14), $425 (under 12)
Dormitory (Boys or Girls room) w.
linen package: $110 (Bring towels)
Camping: $60, $25 (under 12 yrs.)
Four-day program available
August 10 to 14
Program and meals:
$275 (ages 12-14), $250 (under 12)
Dormitory: $65
Camping: $35, $15 (under 12 yrs.)
Remit to:
American Vegan Society
PO Box 369, Malaga NJ 08328
Ph: (856) 694-2887, Fax: 694-2288
Check or credit card accepted.
allow for social time, and relaxation.
American Vegan 4-4, SPRING 2005 29