CAPPE (Citizens Against the Pellissippi Parkway Extension, Inc.) members are preparing for the upcoming TDOT meeting on October 25 at Heritage High School from 5-8pm. For initial analysis, see below. For background, see Link...

Also worth noting is that TDOT gave less than 3 weeks notice for this meeting, in violation of their own policy to provide 30 days notice for all public meetings. See Link...

At the Oct. 25 meeting TDOT will present the ‘Purpose and Need’ for the PPE as well as ‘initial alternatives.’ The public will have opportunities to comment on the Purpose and Need and the alternatives. Written comments can be sent to TDOT for 21 days after the Oct. 25 meeting.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 7pm, Maryville College

Location update from comments: Chilhowee Club, Maryville, approx. 2 blocks from Maryville College. From S. Court St. take W. Goddard Ave.; turn left onto Cate St. Parking is on the left.

CAPPE is one of several local organizations co-sponsoring a presentation by Gerry Cohn, Southeast States Director for American Farmland Trust (AFT). AFT is a national non-profit organization that has worked for decades to help individuals, communities, organizations and local and state governments develop programs to strengthen and preserve farming and agricultural land.

Just wanted to get the word out about the following events, swiped from an alert from CAPPE (Citizens Against the Pellissippi Parkway):

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 7pm, Maryville College (location to be announced)

CAPPE is one of several local organizations co-sponsoring a presentation by Gerry Cohn, Southeast States Director for American Farmland Trust (AFT). AFT is a national non-profit organization that has worked for decades to help individuals, communities, organizations and local and state governments develop programs to strengthen and preserve farming and agricultural land.

AFT’s key strategies are:

Transform U.S. farm policy to strengthen the future of American agriculture;
Protect the best land by supporting effective state and local farmland protection initiatives;
Plan for agriculture to keep farming viable and help communities balance growth while protecting working land;
Keep the land healthy and productive by encouraging stewardship practices that safeguard our nation's natural resources.

Gerry will share with us what other communities have done to protect farming and agricultural land. He will help us think about the kinds of programs and initiatives that are appropriate for Blount County . The mission of AFT is to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.

You can learn more about AFT at Link...

Co-sponsors currently are the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College , Foothills Land Conservancy, The Raven Society and CAPPE.

OCTOBER 27, 3:30-7pm, 6th Annual Rural Preservation Party & Auction!

Kelmont Farm Barnyard

We’ve moved our signature event to the fall to take advantage of cooler temperatures and harvest themes. We’ll have live music, our famous bake sale, pumpkin painting, an auction, cakewalks, a costume parade and contest, and other activities being planned.

Note: My family attends this every year and wouldn't miss it for the world! Lots of fun.