KELCURT Farms will host a ribbon cutting at the newly built Haile Hoop House at 9816 Sour Mash Lane on Mowbray Mountain in Soddy-Daisy this Thursday at 2 p.m. KELCURT Farms is the agricultural division of KELCURT Foundation, which also owns and operates the Soddy Daisy Community Library.
The “Haile Hoop House” is the first in a series of greenhouse-style structures that will provide for year-round vegetable growth. A percentage of the produce from the hoop house will go to the Soddy-Daisy Food Bank, a percentage will go to the land owner, and the remaining produce will be sold to fund the next hoop house project. Four hoop houses are planned for 2023 with a five-year goal of 20 hoop houses built and providing fresh vegetables for the community.
“We have created a self-sustaining system of growth,” said KELCURT Foundation founder and Agriculturist Curtis Cecil. “By starting slow, and using the produce sales, we can feasibly double our growth year after year, feeding more and more people with a fresh supply of locally grown vegetables.”
This first hoop house is funded through a grant from the Papa John’s Foundation Building Community Fund. The KELCURT Foundation was nominated for this grant by Michele Sprague, marketing director for Papa Johns, for “the amazing work you are doing.” She went on the say, “We’re thrilled to support KELCURT Foundation and the impact you have on our community.”
“When I heard about the Agriculture Center's vision for the hoop houses I knew I was in a position to help. My family had the space to host it.” Erica Haile, the land owner providing the space for the hoop house said, “This is a way I can contribute and hopefully make a big impact (against food insecurity).”
The houses will also be used as educational facilities for classes on agriculture and hydroponics.
For additional information regarding the event, KELCURT Farms, or the KELCURT Foundation, contact Curtis Cecil at 423-800-2367 or founders@KELCURTFoundation.org.