About Our Farm
What do we grow and where do we sell?
Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, grapes, pears, Asian pears, apples. We sell at 5 farmers markets. You can check our market schedule on the markets page.
About Our Farm
Our farm is nestled on a fertile ridge top in Anderson County, near Norris Tennessee. We have been in operation since 1970. Over the years we have had quail, cattle, hogs, and a variety of produce. Currently we only grow fruit. We have been selling produce to farmers markets and restaurants in the Knoxville area since 1999, and in past years have operated a CSA and u-pick berries. Our motto is quality and taste first. Our entire organization is graded to this end, from our plant selection, to our soil maintenance, to how fresh we can deliver the produce. Except for its size, it's the same family orchard we've always had. We take pride in saying that it's "home grown"!
Mountain Meadows Farm believes in maintaining a healthy eco-system. Our farm uses a system called Integrated Pest Management. IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. We plant non-GMO plants and seek disease resistant varieties of fruit to grow. We work hard to enrich and build our soil to feed our trees and berries. We use bio-degradable or organic spray when necessary, to maintain the wide array of fruit for our customers. We use drip irrigation to minimize soil erosion, mold problems, and water use. Our soil is rich in humus and micro-nutrients, and has the earth worms to prove it. This provides you with the healthiest, best tasting fruit.
We are the Meadows family. Ernie and Sue Meadows bought the farm in 1970. Initially they raised quail and cattle. Then they took on the commercial hog farm business for 25 years. At the same time, Ernie worked for TVA as a landscape architect, with a degree from UGA. Sue was the farm business manager and home maker, with a B.S. in business from UT. In the early 90's, they sold all the pigs, retired, and traveled all over the world. Ernie loves to swap travel stories, just ask him. After some time they had the itch to farm again. The fruit and vegetable sales started as a hobby by Ernie and Sue to share the extras from their abundant garden, orchard, and berry patch. It grew every year and now the whole family is involved in the business, with David and Shannon joining the farm business in 2008. David has a BS in English from UT, and is a prolific writer, foodie, and avid sports fan. David is the farm manager, and runs the day to day maintenance of the farm and all the produce. Shannon has a BS in Exercise Science from Auburn, and a MEd in Education from Auburn, with certifications in Elementary Ed, ESL, and, PE & Health. She has lived and worked in Denali National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Busan, South Korea, Atlanta, GA, and traveled to over 40 countries in 5 different continents, in search of mountains, culture, and good food. Shannon is the farm business manager, and does a little of everything to fill the gaps.
