Five events on tap for you, with dozens of farmers, one spectacular chef and, last and certainly least, one middle-aged writer. That's me. Enjoying all these events? That's you.

Welcome to the last Leftovers - that's the name of our Wednesday column - for May 2025.

June's staring at us right around the corner.

• On Saturday, June 7, the Southeast TN Young Farmers Coalition (SETNYF) hosts its third annual Farm Olympics.

Yes, there's hay-bale throwing and egg-tossing, but, there's also receiving: come shake hands with dozens of young regional farmers at one of the most valuable - and vulnerable - farms in the region.

McDonald Farm.

"One of the only remaining large tracts of farmland in Hamilton Co.," said Jess Wilson, chapter president of the SETN Young Farmers.  

"We want this event to highlight McDonald Farm and to build support for protecting this important agricultural asset."

The Olympics includes a community dance, picnic blanket meal and kids' activities. Early Bird tickets are 25% off until June 1 (code: earlybird) or, when you become a SETNYF member, your ticket is half-off.

Tickets and more info can be found here.

• On Sunday, June 8, Dr. Peggy Douglas - many of us know her to be one of the most powerful + treasured Chattanoogans - invites you to a very special afternoon in Meigs County.

Peggy's a writer, teacher and social historian; she gathers the stories of men and women - the incarcerated, our elders, the homeless - who are often overlooked and places them centerstage through her performances and chapbook writing.

Last year, she began collecting stories of nearly a dozen Meigs County farmers which she turned into oral histories and poetic narratives.

Those narratives will be read on stage at the free event on June 8.

You'll hear farmers's voices - their stories, struggles, dreams - told through Peggy's writing.

Like Tara Smith, who farms aeroponically at Fresh Tech Growers.

Some days I am moved to lift a leaf

to the light, whisper to the tiny plants as if

they can hear, so they can move in rhythm

to my quiet dance of care and science.

The event is free and begins at 2 pm at 200 Smith Drive in Decatur.

• Last week, we had a blast at Calliope for our opening dinner for The Table.

We packed the upstairs dining room with a sold-out crowd. The evening was scheduled for two hours; some folks stayed nearly three.  

I spoke, passed around a little poetry while friends and strangers (who became friends) passed around the wine.

Raven Humprhey and Chef Khaled AlBanna told stories, answered questions, offered their vision for Calliope in the heart of Chattanooga.

We've got more dinners planned (see below). All seats are reserved for members of The Table, so join up so you can join us.

"This is what Chattanooga needs," one woman said.

"I've already signed up for the next dinner at LUNCH," said another.

• Speaking of that next dinner ... on Saturday, June 28, you're invited to a special dinner at LUNCH, the pioneering restaurant in Sewanee.

Chef Mallory Grimm has built this intimate, easy place with a menu that's locally-sourced, highly original and unforgettably good. Our meal there in 2023 was one of our best of the year.

I'll say a few words, then, you'll have a chance to speak with Chef Grimm, too, who'll offer some stories and her vision for a locally-sourced restaurant and its impact on middle Tennessee.

Tickets can be reserved here.

• This Thursday - tomorrow - you're invited to hear Randall Tomlinson speak about farming - its joys and struggles - and the role of regenerative agriculture within communities.

Randall's kind, thoughtful and packs a punch with his words, saying things in certain ways that linger and echo long after he's done talking.

It's part of our ongoing Little Coyote Speaker Series.

The free event begins at 4.30 pm, with servers offering a full menu of drinks and food.

Several tickets remain and can be reserved here.

• Last - and least - a new event: Picking Up the Thread: the story of Food as a Verb.

On Tuesday, June 17, I'll tell the origin story of Food as a Verb and The Table. It's a story about me, but also you: our relationship with the land, media and ourselves.

Over wine at JMac's Vino + Vinyl on Georgia Ave., we'll all discuss - questions, comments, ideas - the role of local food and its impact on our lives.

We'd love to see you that night - the event runs from 5.30 to 6.45-ish. Tickets are free and can be reserved here for all members of The Table.

• In case you missed it, here's a teaser from our new video from the marvelous Rachael Porter.

Rachael, Sarah and I traveled together to Rosemary and Thyme Creamery for our Memorial Day story (thanks for all your kind feedback; we loved it, too!) and Rachael's gorgeous video fit right in with our storytelling work.

For the full-length video, click here.

You'll see more of her work in the months to come.

And, more of Rosemary and Thyme, too. We're working on a farm tour. Details soon.

Have a wonderful week, Food as a Verb fam. Stay curious.

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.

‍