Year In Review: Just Be Thankful

Just be thankful for what you got

William DeVaught

Wow! 2023 was an amazing year for our organization and the people we serve each day. Thank you, friends, for your support in helping us achieve the following:

 

Impact

1325    

People Served and Counseled

238

Acres and Homes Preserved 

$94,000     

Volunteer Hours Value

300% Increase

Donations and Grants

200% Increase

People Practicing Mind Body Stress Reduction Health Techniques

200% Increase

Resident Housing Placements

In the News  

Press Release - UTM Agriculture Department issued a press release on May 15, 2023, about the service they provided to the Benton County Moore farm;

Television - a documentary titled “Uprooted: The History of Black Land Ownership” that aired on PBS affiliate Nashville Public Television on April 24, 2023;

Radio - a panel discussion titled “The traditions and challenges of being a Black farmer in Tennessee” on National Public Radio affiliate WPLN on April 18, 2023, radionwtn;

Newspaper - articles in Camden Chronicle “UTM Students Study Modern Uses for Moore Century Farm", issue May 25, 2023”; “Public Television features Benton County Century Farm” issue April 27, 2023 and “Century Farms” issue Vol 127, No.41, October 14, 2018; on WBBJ-TV.com issue May 15, 2023, “UT Martin students help local farm owner with study”; “Tennessee Historical Commission Unveils New Historical Marker in Holladay”, June 15, 2023; 

Magazine - article in Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly, “The Moore Family Century Farm” issue Vol.25, No.1, March 2023.

Social Media – Blog - Listed in Urbannite Juneteenth Directory, radionwtn.com, troytn.gov, parispi.net,  

Facebook posts through TN Historical Commission, TN Forestry Association, Forest Foundation Association, TN Civil War National Heritage Area, Hip Camden, TN Agriculture Museum, WBBJ-TV.com, Benton County Camden Chamber of Commerce, Parkers Crossroads Visitor Center, TN Century Farms Program, UT-TSU Extension Benton, MTSU Center for Historical Preservation, Historic Downtown Selmer Today, Anders Moore Family Group, Nashville Public Television; 

Twitter -This Is Nashville, Nashville Public Television; 

Linked-in – Dell Corporation, American Forest Foundation, USDA Forestry Division; 

Instagram – TN Forestry Association, Crime Seen Examiner News.

For Every $4 You Donate Today We Will Get $6

 #GivingTuesday is just one week away on November 28, 2023!

Because you’re such a wonderful friend to the Moore Family Century Farm, I want to let you in on an “early-bird” match offer. The Tennessee Historical Commission. has generously offered to match every gift!

That means for every $4 you donate we will receive $6. Your special gift will go far to transform the way people across the country understand our shared agricultural history and values by re-examining our story through an African American lens.

In case you missed the news, we’re launching phase two of a historical trail, museum, and education center at the Moore Family Century Farm at the Flatwoods Community in Benton County, Tennessee.

State Representative Bruce Griffey echoes our intention, “…the Moore Family Century Farm is one of the last few remaining historic African American farms in the country. I feel that the preservation of this state treasure and the documentation of the generations of honorable family members that lived and worked there, is of vital importance for the edification of ours and future generations of Tennesseans. I thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of this worthy project and urge you to approve any needed funding for this historic landmark.”

DONATE TODAY! Make any size tax-exempt donation to develop phase two of this outdoor educational complex to provide jobs and attract tourism dollars in our state. Donation platforms include:

+ Mail check payable to NAPAS (EIN available upon request), PO Box 135, Whites Creek, TN 37189

+ Zelle 731-415-2588 Get Started with Zelle® | Zelle (zellepay.com)

+ Cash App - $NAPASTEAMS Cash App Login: Sign in to your account

If you have questions or comments, please contact us at 615-364-9075. This work is being funded in part with funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and the Tennessee Historical Commission.

A Harvest of Health: Collard Greens

This time of year many of us serve the tried and true collard greens as a side dish for our holiday tables. Just be thankful for the early holiday gift we receive from this dark leafy green: preserve eyesight; strengthen bones, prevent cancer and anemia; grow hair; reduce wrinkles; lift mood.                      

Source: National Institute of Health

Are You Resting?

 

Control

Got my own mind. I wanna make my own decisions. When it has to do with my life - I wanna be the one in control... Janet Jackson

Mother Nature Taking Care of You

 

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

 A tall handsome deeply melanated brother (DMB) humbly approached me in the market.

DMB: Can I ask you a question my sister (slightly distracted)

ME: Sure, how can I help (not sure what to expect)

DMB: My son has his friends over and they want hummus to go with their chips.  I have no idea what hummus is (engulfed in vulnerability that was tangible in that moment)

ME: Follow me (I smiled, touched the small of his back; walk him over to the hummus aisle and conducted a brief lesson on hummus)

DMB: Thank you so much.  I didn’t know what I was going to do (He smiles, proceeds to peruse the myriad of options)

This Father took a risk with a complete stranger to figure out how to fulfill his sons’ request. As I walked away the gravity of that interaction touched me in a deep place.  

Got Happiness? Get Happy

 

Color + Clip + Gaze = Relax

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1144727646090451/ . Click on the link and order your kit to benefit farmland preservation and productivity.

My Mind Matters

 If you are feeling out of sorts, here are some self-care activities that can help:

Breathing deeply

Exercising and stretching the body

Engaging in social contact and conversation

Getting adequate sleep on a regular schedule

Eating healthy fruits, vegetables and/or proteins

Talking to a trusted loved one

Practicing meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness

Seeking Someone to Listen

 

Something on your mind?  Need to talk, walk? Give us a call...

TEAMS Institute - Counseling (clientsecure.me)

Food as Medicine

Celery is an integral ingredient in numerous cuisines. The seeds, stalks and leaves are used in various preparations. Health uses and benefits include blood purification, detoxification, regulating bowel movements, gout, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, colic laxative, urinary tract infections, nerve calming as well as renewing joints, arteries, and veins.

Source: American Botanical Council; Photo: etsy

Herbal Healing

 

As we enter the possibility of cold and flu season, consider Pine oil and other pine products to improve blood circulation, blood pressure, faster healing, approved for treating coughs, bronchitis, respiratory infection, muscle soreness, arthritis, neuralgia, and break up mucus. Source: American Botanical Council