When we first launched Food as a Verb, a good friend gave some good advice.

"Build community," he said. "That's your main work."

He was right. Our stories are unlike any you'll find in this region. But underneath them? We're building - or remembering, pointing towards, strengthening - community.

We're delighted and proud to announce our newest form of community.

The Little Coyote + Food as a Verb Farm-to-Table Speaker Series.

Partnering with the Niels and Little Coyote, we'll invite an ongoing series of regional and national speakers to town.

It begins Thursday, Nov. 14.

Brooks Lamb is coming to town.

Brooks is the celebrated author of Love for the Land, a powerful examination of Tennessee farmers and farmland.

"Those who persist in place," he writes.

Part love story, part academic study, his book weaves together first-person narratives from Tennessee farmers alongside a sensitive look at the virtues and ethics that keep them farming.

Like a love for the land.

Starting at 4:30 pm, Brooks will mingle, shake hands and talk with guests, then, around 5 pm, speak to our group on farmers, ethics and how to preserve farmland.

A question-and-answer will follow, with the event ending at 6pm.

It's free, with limited seating. Two dozen or so tickets remain. (Don't get off work until 5? Come late! You're always welcome.)

Email david@foodasaverb.com to reserve yours.

Best of all?

Our speaker series is held at Little Coyote, a treasure in St. Elmo. Amanda and Erik Niel and team have created one of the most original restaurants in the Southeast.

That evening, Chef Niel and team will serve a special menu of cocktails and small bites, priced for us.

Then, after Brooks wraps up, you can stick around and enjoy dinner.

Brooks's book has been praised for its depth and tenderness.

If you want to better understand 21st century farmers and - key word - their devotion to agriculture and the land, then his book is a gift.

In his work, Brooks - also the Land Protection and Access Specialist for American Farmland Trust - addresses the rising loss of Tennessee farmland.

As we've reported, thanks to Luke Iverson and the Land Trust for Tennessee, Hamilton County faces an agrarian crisis.

Fewer than 1,300 acres of cropland remained in 2022.

And even fewer local leaders seem interested.

Brooks can offer solutions to these problems.

Not only an author, he's a teacher: relatable, down-to-earth, funny, kind.

(That same day? We'll be part of a panel discussion on farmland loss, part of Thrive Regional Partnership's Tri-State Summit.)

Again, the Little Coyote + Food as a Verb Farm/Table Speaker Series is free, but tickets - around two dozen - are limited.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, beginning at 4:30 pm. (Can't get there until 5.15? Or later? We'll save your seat!)

Email david@foodasaverb.com to reserve your spot.

It's going to be fabulous.

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.