Oleoacres is a 20-acre farm that aims for sustainability without modern technology. Located in Stanton, Tenn. about 30 minutes’ drive from Memphis, it is the site of numerous events hosted by owners Tim and Betty Ammons and gaining in popularity.
Farm to Table meals
Farm to Table events showcase fresh, local and organic produce as tasted through the cuisine of area chefs. There will be two such events, with the moniker Salt of the Earth, at Oleo Acres in 2013.
On June 22, the meal will focus on the flavors of Oleo Acres heirloom vegetables and Tim’s organic pork. A second Farm to Table event in September 2013 will focus on wild game. “I’m trying to get local hunters to donate game, and in donating they can get free tickets to the meal,” says Tim. “Most people around here only know how to barbecue or fry. Imagine what a gourmet chef could do with venison or raccoon!”
Seed swaps and plant sales
Seed swaps are designed to help people find seeds for rare varieties of plants that are no longer mass produced or cultivated. Examples include vegetable varieties that may be more shade tolerant than usual. The only seed swap of the year will be March 16, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of admittance is a donation of nonperishable food items for those in need.
The Oleo Acres plant sale is ongoing. Some plants and herbs are already available.
The Sorghum Festival
Oleo Acres’ oldest event, its annual Sorghum Festival, happens October 4, 5 and 6 this year. Visitors will get to compare the operation of mechanized and mule-drawn sorghum mills. They’ll learn how to grow sorghum and see sorghum syrup made. The culminating event, of course, is getting to taste the sorghum at the ‘pan soppin.‘
Crafters and artisans fill the farm throughout the weekend, offering one-of-a-kind hand made items for sale. Original recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation will also be on sale. If you know a thing or two about how to cook with sorghum, you are invited to join the sorghum cook-off and compete for prizes.
Annual Scout Day
The Ammons’ Scout Day, held every year on the first weekend in November, will take place November 2 and 3, 2013. The event usually begins Friday evening for Scouts wanting to camp and ends Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m. This is an event just for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, filled with activities that represent the range of operations and produce on Oleo Acres farm.
For up-to-date information on events, visit the Oleo Acres Facebook page.
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