Burns Village & Farm at TN Local Food’s Summer Supper
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Burns Village & Farm had the honor of serving as the Presenting (Diamond) Sponsor of Local Table: TN Local Food’s Summer Supper at Hachland Hill Retreat. Hosted by TN Local Food, this fundraising dinner brought together farmers, chefs, educators, and community leaders committed to strengthening Tennessee’s local food movement.
A Night of Connection & Community
As the presenting sponsor, Burns Village & Farm was given the unique opportunity to:
Host a table of distinguished guests, including professors, sustainability advocates, and community leaders.
Share our story and vision with more than 125 attendees through a 4-minute presentation.
Align with TN Local Food in celebrating collaboration, sustainability, and local agriculture.
Our co-founders spoke about Burns Village & Farm’s mission: to create Tennessee’s first cohousing agrihood, where sustainable living, regenerative farming, and intentional community come together.
Rebecca opened our presentation by highlighting one of the central beliefs of Burns Village & Farm: a healthy life comes from the combination of good food, physical activity, restorative sleep, and social companionship.
She reminded the audience that Burns Village & Farm is built on social relationships and practicing the art of being a good neighbor. “Our goal is to create a community that values sustainability, embraces diversity, and makes plenty of room for joy and fun.”
Preserving Farms Through a New Model of Living
John followed by sharing his personal story. Raised on a farm and later living in a cohousing community in Virginia known as Blueberry Hill, he joked about being a “hobby farmer with a blueberry problem.” His life experiences shaped his deep belief that farming and community living can work beautifully together.
Today, there are more than 100 agrihoods across the U.S., each offering a unique model for preserving farmland while fostering healthy community life. Burns Village & Farm is proud to be part of this growing movement.
On the land that will one day be home to Burns Village & Farm, the owners currently steward 150 acres. They have agreed to sell 17 acres to BVF members. By doing so, they can continue to support agriculture on the majority of their land while our community flourishes alongside them.
“This is how we preserve farming,” John explained. “By creating a model where real estate and local food are integrated.”
Why It Matters for Tennessee
The need could not be more urgent. Tennessee has over 60,000 family farms today, but we are losing 1,300 farms each year. At this rate, more than 13,000 farms could be gone in the next decade.
John asked a question at the heart of our mission: “Where is the balance between development and local food?”
Agrihoods like Burns Village & Farm provide a sustainable answer, by ensuring that development strengthens farming rather than erasing it.
Living Your Values
Today, Burns Village & Farm already has nine invested households. Becoming a member is more than buying a home, it’s about putting your money where your values are.
John asked the audience to imagine a simple future moment:
“You’re sitting in the community clubhouse at Burns Village & Farm, sharing a potluck meal with your neighbors. You glance out the window and see the fields where your food was grown. That’s what we’re building together.”
Watch the Presentation
We’ve uploaded the full 4-minute video from the event to our YouTube channel. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Burns Village & Farm unique, this clip offers a glimpse into the heart of our project.
Our Partnership with TN Local Food
The Summer Supper fundraiser reflects exactly what we believe in: food as connection, farming as stewardship, and community as resilience. By supporting TN Local Food, Burns Village & Farm is helping expand access to healthy local foods across the state and investing in the next generation of farmers and food entrepreneurs.
An Invitation to Join Us
Our founders closed with a heartfelt invitation: if this vision resonates with you, we encourage you to attend an information session, luncheon, or site tour. It’s the best way to experience firsthand how Burns Village & Farm is shaping the future of sustainable living and local food.
👉 Join a Virtual Information Session
Together, we can protect Tennessee farmland, support local farmers, and create a thriving community where health, sustainability, and joy go hand in hand.