Knox County Community Garden Report 2024
A detailed look into Knox County, Tennessee community gardens.
Acknowledgements
This report would not have been possible without the support and participation of the survey participants. Thank you!
Grow NYC's 2010 Community Garden Survey served as an essential source of guidance for both the design and reporting of this survey.
About Us
United Way of Greater Knoxville
The United Way of Greater Knoxville's Food Systems has the goal to create a just, equitable food system rooted in community, and we are uniquely positioned to unite people and resources to strengthen communities and solve systemic issues. We envision a future where everyone has consistent and equitable access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for their health and well-being.
People's Food Plan
This work supports our People's Food Plan. Click the link below to see how we employed a collective governance structure to shift power and foster trust in our community through our Community Food Security Assessment.
Knox County Community Garden and Growers Alliance
The Knox County Community Gardens & Growers Alliance (KCCGGA) is a community-driven organization dedicated to serve and support community gardens and growers in Knox County, so that they can better address and eliminate food insecurity in the community. They accomplish this mission through five key pillars: Outreach and Education, Sustainability and Capacity Building, HUB, Community Development, and Volunteer Management.
Pictured from left to right: Erica Lisowe, Femeika Elliott, Caesar Stair III, Chris Battle, and Nick Thompson.
Report Goal
The United Way of Greater Knoxville, in partnership with the Knox County Community Garden and Growers Alliance, other community gardens, and community organizations, issued our second annual Community Garden Survey. Results from this survey allows a better understanding of the assets and needs of community gardens and to produce baseline information and observe changes over time to the food system in Knox County.
Survey Methodology
The data in this report was collected using Survey Monkey throughout August 2024. Participants had the option to complete the survey online, in person, or via phone call. The survey was widely shared via email and social media, and flyers were posted on bulletin boards at local businesses.
The data collected from Survey Monkey was analyzed using both Microsoft Excel and Survey Monkey's data analytics tools.
Survey design, implementation, and analysis were completed by Imelda Gutierrez, and Kimberly Pettigrew served as an advisor.
History of Community Gardens in Knox County
Knoxville has a rich history of community gardens and diverse growers that have laid a strong foundation for the work towards addressing food insecurity in the community.
The following information and photos have been kindly provided by the Beck Cultural Exchange Center .
1900 - 1919
In the early 1900s, Knoxville College used their land to grow food for students. From 1902-1912 , the State of Tennessee funded the College's agricultural department. Knoxville College held regional farming workshops and distributed free seeds on campus, a tradition that continues today. By 1917, during WWI, the National Emergency Good Garden Commission encouraged "Victory Gardens" across the U.S.
1920 - 1949
In 1929, Elmwood Women's Community Club planted a garden to provide hot lunches for students—the first community garden in Knox County and the first garden to feed school-aged youth. By 1942, The Ethel Beck Home for Children, an orphanage for Black youth in Knoxville (established in 1919), taught children valuable skills such as tending victory gardens and raising poultry and livestock. The home received support from the Community Chest, later renamed United Way, through the Community War Work Campaign.
1950 - 1979
The community garden movement surged in Knoxville during the 1970s. The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) launched the Green Thumb Home Garden Program in 1973, starting with 100 families. CAC provided free seeds, plants, fertilizer, insecticide and tools for families under the federally defined poverty level.
1980 - 1999
CAC grew to support 2,500 families by 1980. In 1992, CAC shifted to organic gardening, and two years later in 1994, CAC provided nutrition education for school aged youth, providing seed packages and veggie plants such as bell peppers and tomatoes. By 1995, the “Vegetables for Recyclables” program allowed residents to exchange cans for fresh produce. Beardsley Farm was later founded in 1998, aiming to promote healthier food options in underserved Knoxville neighborhoods like Mechanicsville, Lonsdale, and Beaumont.
2000 - 2019
By 2008, about 200 gardeners participated in Knoxville's community gardens, with 90% seniors. Community gardens also became a vital outlet for low-income residents and immigrants, who grew diverse vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, and beans, helping families access affordable, healthy food.
In 2015, Knoxville's city council passed a new zoning ordinance to remove barriers to food production on private property, allowing better use of vacant spaces and supporting programs that increase access to local, healthy food.
2020 - Present
In recent years, community gardens in Knoxville have continued to flourish. In 2023, the first community garden report was published, identifying a total of 53 gardens. Additionally, gardening clubs in Knox County schools have thrived and are expanding further in 2024.
To view the full timeline, please click the link below.
Map of Community Gardens
This survey identified 57 active community gardens. 54 gardens were located within Knoxville city limits and 3 located in Powell.
BattleField Farm
BattleField Farm. Click to expand.
Beaumont Elementary
Beaumont Elementary . Click to expand.
Belle Morris Native Garden
Belle Morris Native Garden. Click to expand.
Blount Mansion Gardens
Blount Mansion Gardens. Click to expand.
Blueberry Ridge
Blueberry Ridge. Click to expand.
Burwell Gardens: A Neighborhood Garden
Burwell Gardens: A Neighborhood Garden. Click to expand.
CAC Beardsley Community Farm
CAC Beardsley Community Farm. Click to expand.
Cagle Terrace
Cagle Terrace. Click to expand.
Candleridge
Candleridge. Click to expand.
Concord UMC Gardens
Concord UMC Gardens. Click to expand.
Concrete Garden
Concrete Garden . Click to expand.
Dogwood Elementary
Dogwood Elementary . Click to expand.
Dogwood Terrace
Dogwood Terrace. Click to expand.
Emerald Academy Garden
Emerald Academy Garden. Click to expand.
Evergreen Villas
Evergreen Villas. Click to expand.
Family Garden
Family Garden. Click to expand.
Flennikan Landing
Flennikan Landing. Click to expand.
Golden Age
Golden Age. Click to expand.
Green Magnet Academy Garden
Green Magnet Academy Garden. Click to expand.
Grow Lab
Grow Lab. Click to expand.
Hardin Valley Gardens
Hardin Valley Gardens. Click to expand.
Dr. Walter Hardy Park
Dr. Walter Hardy Park . Click to expand.
Helping Hands Kitchen Garden
Helping Hands Kitchen Garden. Click to expand.
Holston Village
Holston Village. Click to expand.
Inskip Elementary School Garden
Inskip Elementary School Garden. Click to expand.
Isabella Towers
Isabella Towers. Click to expand.
Karolyn and John Barnes Organic Garden
Karolyn and John Barnes Organic Garden. Click to expand.
Knox Pride Community Garden
Knox Pride Community Garden. Click to expand.
Lonsdale Elementary
Lonsdale Elementary . Click to expand.
Love Towers
Love Towers. Click to expand.
Maud Booth
Maud Booth. Click to expand.
Morningside Neighborhood
Morningside Neighborhood. Click to expand.
Natures Cove
Natures Cove. Click to expand.
New Covenant Presbyterian/Christ Church Presbyterian
New Covenant Presbyterian/Christ Church Presbyterian. Click to expand.
New Harvest Park
New Harvest Park. Click to expand.
North Hills Arboretum
North Hills Arboretum. Click to expand.
Northgate
Northgate . Click to expand.
Norwood Elementary
Norwood Elementary . Click to expand.
Old City Gardens
Old City Gardens. Click to expand.
Parkridge Community Garden
Parkridge Community Garden . Click to expand.
Pastor Richard S. Brown Community Garden
Pastor Richard S. Brown Community Garden. Click to expand.
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Garden
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Garden. Click to expand.
Ridgebrook Garden
Ridgebrook Garden . Click to expand.
South Knoxville Elementary
South Knoxville Elementary . Click to expand.
St. Mary's Riverview
St. Mary's Riverview. Click to expand.
Stop and Go Garden
Stop and Go Garden. Click to expand.
The Muse Community Garden
The Muse Community Garden. Click to expand.
Urban Kids Farm
Urban Kids Farm. Click to expand.
UT Gardens
UT Gardens. Click to expand.
Vestal Garden
Vestal Garden. Click to expand.
Vine Middle School Garden
Vine Middle School Garden . Click to expand.
Western Heights Baptist Center
Western Heights Baptist Center. Click to expand.
Western Heights
Western Heights. Click to expand.
Western Heights Boys and Girls Club
Western Heights Boys and Girls Club . Click to expand.
Westview
Westview. Click to expand.
Willow Place
Willow Place. Click to expand.
BattleField Farm
Beaumont Elementary
Belle Morris Native Garden
Blount Mansion Gardens
Blueberry Ridge
Burwell Gardens: A Neighborhood Garden
CAC Beardsley Community Farm
Cagle Terrace
Candleridge
Concord UMC Gardens
Concrete Garden
Dogwood Elementary
Dogwood Terrace
Emerald Academy Garden
Evergreen Villas
Family Garden
Flennikan Landing
Golden Age
Green Magnet Academy Garden
Grow Lab
Hardin Valley Gardens
Dr. Walter Hardy Park
Helping Hands Kitchen Garden
Holston Village
Inskip Elementary School Garden
Isabella Towers
Karolyn and John Barnes Organic Garden
Knox Pride Community Garden
Lonsdale Elementary
Love Towers
Maud Booth
Morningside Neighborhood
Natures Cove
New Covenant Presbyterian/Christ Church Presbyterian
New Harvest Park
North Hills Arboretum
Northgate
Norwood Elementary
Old City Gardens
Parkridge Community Garden
Pastor Richard S. Brown Community Garden
Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Garden
Ridgebrook Garden
South Knoxville Elementary
St. Mary's Riverview
Stop and Go Garden
The Muse Community Garden
Urban Kids Farm
UT Gardens
Vestal Garden
Vine Middle School Garden
Western Heights Baptist Center
Western Heights
Western Heights Boys and Girls Club
Westview
Willow Place
Beardsley Farm
Founded in 1998, CAC Beardsley Community Farm aims to foster a healthier community in Knoxville by offering culturally relevant produce, accessible education on growing and cooking fresh foods, and providing land and resources for gardening. Their programming is free, focusing on low to moderate-income communities that have limited access to the resources necessary for healthy living.
Gardens Managed by Beardsley
Many residents of Knox County are living in public housing and apartments that lack access to land for growing their own food. Beardsley Farm addresses this issue by maintaining 32 community gardens, including their own, across various locations, including city parks and public housing communities.
The table below outlines the number of gardens managed by Beardsley, categorized accordingly.
Beardsley Community Gardens | Quantity |
|---|---|
CAC Beardsley Community Farm Headquarters | 1 |
CAC Community Gardens | 21 |
School Gardens | 6 |
New Ground Gardens | 4 |
Beardsley Garden Management
Photos shared by Beardsley Farm.
01 / 06
Age of Gardens
The oldest known garden was established in 1926, and the newest garden was established in 2024.
The majority of community gardens have been established within the past 9 years, showing steady growth, with a remarkable 640% increase in the number of gardens since 2015.
1982 Knoxville News Sentinel newspaper clipping of Love Towers community garden, sourced from the Beck Cultural Exchange Center.
Types of Gardens
Approximately 78% of community gardens are located within local communities or neighborhoods, and more than half operate as non-profit gardens. The majority of respondents selected more than one option.
Purpose
The majority of gardens are multi-purpose, but the primary goal for most is food production. The data below reflect how many gardens identified each as one of their multiple purposes.
- Grow Food: 93%
- Provide Education: 81%
- Support Pollinators: 65%
- Workforce Development: 11%
- Other notable purposes include:
- Building community
- Enhancing neighborhood beautification
- Donating to local food pantries
- Promoting environmental awareness
The accompanying graphic shows which category was selected the most in comparison to the others.
Size of Gardens
Community garden sizes ranged from 56 square feet to 10 acres.
The total land area dedicated to growing food spanned up to 4 acres.
Land Acknowledgement
This year, we asked respondents if their garden had a land acknowledgement in place. "A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the land and acknowledges the enduring relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their territories" ( Northwestern University ).
Two gardens, UT Gardens and Beardsley Farm (linked below), reported having a land acknowledgment, while many others expressed interest in establishing one for their garden.
We are committed to supporting these gardens by providing resources, including the map shown here, Native Land Digital , an interactive map of Indigenous lands. This tool can help foster a more informed understanding of both history and the present day.
Current Land Ownership
Before being transformed into gardens, many sites were once vacant lots, unused yards, lawn areas, or abandoned properties.
Most gardens are owned by nonprofit organizations, Knox County, or private individuals. There are:
- 11 school gardens owned by Knox County
- Over 20 gardens owned by the City of Knoxville or housing corporations such as Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC)
- About 5 gardens located on the grounds of religious institutions
Wildlife Certifications
Almost half of community gardens (46%) have at least one wildlife certification. The chart shows the certification options, where participants indicated if they had the certification or, if not, whether they were interested in obtaining it.
The most common certification is the TUFC Certified Arboretum, while the certifications most desired by gardens are the Monarch Watch Certified Monarch Waystation and the NABA Certified Butterfly Garden.
Wildlife Certifications Total Responses
Gardeners
A total of 2,623 gardeners participated in the most recent growing season.
Photo from the Love Towers Garden Party provided by Jeremy Nash, Communications Coordinator at KCDC.
Languages Spoken
11 languages in total are spoken by the gardeners. The majority speak English, followed by Swahili and Spanish. The complete list of languages includes:
- Akateko
- American Sign Language
- Arabic
- English
- German
- Japanese
- Kurundi
- Portuguese
- Spanish
- Swahili
- Ukrainian
Waitlist
At least 40 people are on a waitlist to join a community garden. While a majority of gardens do not have a waitlist, a few have around 5 people waiting, with none exceeding 15.
Volunteers
Current and Desired Needs Related to Physical Support
Gardens reported both their current and desired physical support needs. The top three forms of physical support they currently have include:
- Consistent volunteers of any skill set
- General weekly maintenance
- Summer maintenance
The most desired forms of support include:
- Summer maintenance
- Skilled volunteers for programming
- Volunteer supervisors/coordinators
Community Garden Physical Support Needs
Volunteer Recruitment and Management
Most community gardens handle volunteer management internally. The most commonly used volunteer recruitment platforms include:
Community Garden Volunteer Recruitment and Management
Total Volunteers and Hours
A total of 1,745 volunteers participated on average per growing season, contributing a combined 21,297 volunteer hours.
Photo sourced from Beardsley Farm.
Production
Of the gardens that grow food, only 1 in 7 reported tracking the amount of produce grown.
Among the 8 gardens that reported their production, a total of 28,825 pounds of produce has been recorded in the most recent growing season.
Photo provided by Beardsley Farm.
Cultural Relevancy
The CDC defines "culturally preferred foods" as safe and nutritious options that meet the diverse tastes and needs of individuals based on their cultural identity.
75% of gardens reported growing culturally preferred foods.
The foods recorded are shown in the accompanying graphic.
Donations
Who Donates
Many of the community gardens donate to multiple sources. Of the gardens that grow food, about 30% reported donating their harvest.
Percent of Gardens Who Donate Produce Grown
Who Receives Donations
- 76% donate to community members
- 65% provide food to school-age students and families
- Additional donations go to:
- Local food pantries
- Organizations hosting cooking classes
- Food distributors like the Fannie Lou Van of Battlefield Farm
How Much Food is Donated
The total reported amount of food donated amounts to approximately 29,706 pounds, with individual donations ranging from 60 to 13,000 pounds. The most common donation sizes fall between 60 and 300 pounds.
Other than donations, most produce is used by the gardeners themselves, who take it home for household use or share it with neighbors, churches, the community, or friends.
Photos sourced from BattleField Farm featuring "Fannie Lou," a minibus that has been transformed into a Veggie Van, named after Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.
Structures and Amenities
Support for Current and Desired Garden Structures and Amenities
Community gardens shared insights on both their current and desired structures and amenities. We will focus on supporting these features for both new and existing gardens. The top three structures and amenities currently in place for over 70% of gardens are:
- Municipal water
- Soil
- Raised beds
The most desired structures and amenities include:
- Irrigation system
- Soil
- Lumber and fencing
Connecting Gardens with Additional Resources and Amenities
While we may not be able to provide direct support for these additional structures and amenities, we will prioritize connecting gardens with local partners who can offer these resources. The top three structures and amenities currently found in gardens are:
- Composting
- Placemaking activities
- Indoor or container gardens
The most desired structures and amenities include:
- Indoor or container gardens
- Beekeeping
- Composting
Creating Accessible and Inclusive Growing Spaces for the Disability Community
We strive to make gardening accessible to all and aim to create more opportunities for building inclusive growing spaces. The top two most reported current ADA accommodations put in place for gardens is:
- Accessibility to the garden
- ADA compliant raised beds
The top two most desired ADA accommodations include:
- Accessibility to the garden
- Adaptive gardening tools
Additional accommodations that gardens expressed interest in include ASL translation services and training for horticultural therapy classes.
Photo provided by UT Gardens.
Next Steps
The following outlines how we will use overall survey data to support community gardens that have expressed interest in adding specific elements or capabilities to their gardens. For each category, the Alliance and UWGK will work to assist gardens in acquiring resources, connecting with relevant organizations, and obtaining tools to ensure they can implement these enhancements.
Land Acknowledgement
- Request: Gardens would like to include a land acknowledgment.
- Support: We will connect gardens with resources that guide how to create and incorporate a meaningful land acknowledgment, such as Indigenous-led organizations or resources that help them honor the traditional stewards of the land.
Certifications
- Request: Gardens are interested in acquiring certifications (e.g., the Monarch Watch Certified Monarch Waystation and the NABA Certified Butterfly Garden certifications).
- Support: We will connect them with resources and organizations that can assist with obtaining relevant certifications, such as the Monarch Waystation Program or the North American Butterfly Association .
Track Food Grown
- Request: Gardens would like to track the amount of food they grow.
- Support: We will provide tools like scales and online logbooks to help gardens accurately measure and track their produce, as well as guidance on tracking methods and software to monitor growth and yield over time.
Donate Food
- Request: Gardens are interested in donating food to the community.
- Support: We will connect these gardens with local community organizations and food distribution networks, such as the Fannie Lou Van or local food pantries, that accept fresh produce donations.
Grow Culturally Preferred Food
- Request: Gardens would like to grow culturally preferred foods.
- Support: We will help these gardens acquire seeds and other necessary resources to grow culturally significant crops. This may include connecting them organizations that support the promotion of supplying gardens and communities with culturally preferred foods.
Structures and Amenities
- Request: Gardens need additional structures and amenities (e.g., irrigation systems, soils, lumber for raised beds).
- Support: We will assist in securing funds, materials, or partnerships to acquire these structures. This could involve connecting gardens to community grants, material donations, or volunteer labor to construct needed infrastructure.
Connections or Organizations for Structures and Amenities
- Request: Gardens need help connecting with organizations to provide specific amenities, such as composting systems or beekeeping resources.
- Support: We will connect them with organizations specializing in these areas, such as local composting organizations, beekeeping associations, or other nonprofits that provide support in gardening infrastructure. Examples include the Tennessee Beekeepers Association and the Composting Council.
ADA Accommodations
- Request: Gardens want to add ADA accommodations to make gardening more accessible.
- Support: We will connect these gardens with organizations that specialize in accessibility, such as those providing adaptive gardening tools or building raised beds for individuals with mobility challenges. Potential partners include Accessible Gardens or organizations offering gardening tools adapted for different physical abilities.
Platform to Recruit/Manage Volunteers
- Request: Gardens need a system to better recruit and manage volunteers.
- Support: We will assist by providing resources on volunteer management platforms or recruitment strategies. We may introduce them to platforms like VolunteerMatch or ServeUTK, which facilitate volunteer engagement, and offer guidance on creating streamlined volunteer sign-ups and management.
