My co-purchaser, Erin Donovan, spending some quality time with Bronco, a friendly farm dog.
Earlier this year, at a fundraiser for Nourish Knoxville called “Winter Warmer,” my friend Erin Donovan and I found ourselves bidding against each other on an auction item named “Fun on the Farm.” The item was a dinner and horse-drawn wagon ride at Strong Stock Farm, the 900-acre Black Angus cattle farm in East Knox County.
I quickly ran over to her with a proposition. Since the two of us have so many mutual friends, why don’t we go in together to purchase the item instead of bidding against each other? She agreed. And that’s how we ended up with a super relaxing and interesting evening among those friends.
Strong Stock Farm is what is known as a “regenerative” farm. That means it uses sustainable agriculture techniques designed to improve the condition of the land rather than diminish it. The cattle are raised without growth hormones and the pastures are chemical free.
Albert George Kern, III, and his sister, Martha Strong Kern, are the seventh generation to own and manage the farm, which is a 1791 land grant farm from the State of North Carolina. Martha and her husband, John Niceley, both University of Tennessee graduates with degrees in animal science, have lived on and run the farm for more than 30 years.
The assemblage was held in the so-called “party barn” on the property.
Haha. Managing COVID on the farm! This sign has been up for several years.
When we arrived, we had drinks and appetizers and got to know lots of dogs that live with Martha and John.
Martha Kern and her son, Stuart Cassell, whose downtown law office is next door to our condo.
From left, guests Janet Testerman, Jacque Hawks, and Kristin Grove.
Joey Creswell, left, and Mitchell Moseley.
Dino Cartwright and Erin.
Dino had tried on two different pairs of shoes trying to decide which to wear. Somehow he got distracted and ended up wearing one of each! Only Dino could pull off something like that!
From left, John Niceley, Alan Carmichael, Judith Foltz, and Cliff Hawks.
Janet and Ollie, who’s 15 years old. Janet is CEO of Young-Williams Animal Center and loves all animals — but especially dachshunds!
Strong Stock Farm proprietors and our gracious hosts, Martha Kern and John Niceley.
Bronco taking a break!
Time to load up the wagon!
John and his co-pilot, Alex Rasmussen.
Janet and Alan getting ready to go.
Dino and Erin.
And, we’re off! This was my view most of the time!
From left, Jacque, Cliff, Alan and Mitchell, wearing Erin’s hat!
Pretty scenery from the wagon.
The Holston River.
We passed hay that already had been baled.
A lot of it.
We stopped for a break and Dino took this picture.
Look who was following along!
Janet and Ollie.
At the next stop, some cows saw us and decided to come over for a visit.
There they are — with their friends.
A little ways down the path, a horse showed an interest in us.
It trotted along beside us for awhile.
Some others ran over, too.
They were beautiful.
Judith couldn’t resist!
I liked this donkey.
We saw some watery wildlife, too!
The evening was perfect.
Wow. The clouds.
Here’s the barn from a distance as we were returning.
We stopped by the farmhouse for a bathroom break!
Stuart greeted us upon our return.
The whole crew upon disembarking.
Dinner time!
Strong Stock Farm supplies the beef to one of downtown Knoxville’s favorite spots, Good Golly Tamale. Appropriately, that’s where our dinner came from. Clockwise, from top left: collard greens, Spanish rice, three kinds of tamales, and black beans.
Delish! (Especially with the margaritas Erin brought!)
And then Stuart delivered the peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream that topped off a wonderful evening.
Aren’t we blessed to have organizations like Nourish Knoxville, which provides our fabulous farmers’ markets, among other services? And generous supporters like Martha, John and Stuart, who gave us the beautiful experience and have lovingly preserved this historic property. Thanks to everyone who made it happen and who joined us.
What fun!
Hated to miss this one. Looks like a fun time.
how very wonderful! looks like a great evening.
Gay: It really was!
Monique: Catch you next time!
Nancy: I recommend purchasing “Fun on the Farm” whenever you get the opportunity!
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