Franklin Farm Hub

Description

The Franklin Farm Hub is a newly established nonprofit in Franklin, NC, created to strengthen the local food system by supporting farmers, improving food access, and fostering community resilience.

While detailed programming hasn’t been publicly outlined yet, farm hubs like this typically aim to:

Aggregate and distribute local farm products to schools, hospitals, and food pantries
Support small farmers with marketing, logistics, and technical assistance
Promote food equity by connecting underserved communities with fresh, local food
Host educational events and workshops on sustainable agriculture

Progress in 2025

From the get go

Franklin Farm Hub (FFH) has been committed to listening to our community, building the right relationship, and honoring the land. FFH was formed to support local farmers and address food insecurity. We acknowledge the invaluable food access work that is already being done by others in our region, we wish to uplift those efforts and help fill in any gaps. We recognize that addressing food insecurity requires collaboration and that it will take all of us working together to accomplish this goal. We are deeply passionate about building an equitable local food system because we believe that everyone deserves access to fresh local food.

Food distribution 2025

Since launching our food access programs in August, we have provided:

$15,000 worth of local food purchased and donated to food pantries through our farmers market food recovery program.

3,000 lbs of food donated to local pantries and meal programs.

$5,000 worth of local food sold to restaurants/retailers during our 3-month Farm Hub Market Pilot.

Ground Works

Land Updates

In 2024, Franklin Farm Hub was able to purchase 94 acres on Lakeside Drive, Franklin. Over the last year we have been exploring and mapping the property. Two of the four historic farm plots are being reclaimed from black walnut incursion. Cover crops are planted. The homestead has been stabilized and shored up. The old wagon trail is being revealed. Several mica mines are being cordoned off. All while we survey the flora and fauna of this unique property.

Soil testing is ongoing. The results will determine what kind of amendments will be needed for specific areas. Our commitment is to a regenerative approach. We are mindful of our location along the Little Tennessee River, as well as protecting stands of native plants, some of which were propagated by previous caretakers of the land.

Progress in 2026

In the Spring of 2026 we will begin test planting at the farm plots, ahead of on-boarding farmers.

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