MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Downtown on the Farm, presented by Locally Owned Murfreesboro, is a farm-to-table fundraising dinner featuring items sourced from local farms that will be transformed into a culinary adventure by four local chefs.
The evening will start with a signature cocktail provided by Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey that will be served at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Cannonsburgh Village.
But this isn’t just a farm-to-table dinner.
Money raised at the event will be used to fund LOM’s annual scholarships for students from Rutherford County in the Entrepreneurship Program in the Jones College of Business.
The inaugural event, held on the Public Square in 2018, raised $4,000 for LOM’s scholarship. The funds were awarded to four MTSU students who graduated from a Rutherford County high school. The donation made LOM the largest donor to the Entrepreneurship Program in the Jones College of Business.
“There’s nothing more important than education and independent businesses. We want to help educate the next generation of Murfreesboro’s entrepreneurs by funding this scholarship at MTSU,” LOM Vice President and event co-chair Michelle Willard said.
The meal will be prepared by some of Murfreesboro’s finest culinary minds: Mitchell Murphree from Five Senses, Shawn & Christy Hackinson from The Alley on Main, Chantell Kennedy-Shehan from Simply Pure Sweets, and Alex Belew from Dallas & Jane.
“We are so honored to be a part of Downtown on the Farm for the second year,” said Christy Hackinson, owner of The Alley on Main. “Last year’s dinner was a wonderful collaboration of farmers and chefs and we know this year will be even better”
All the protein and produce will be procured from local farmers and growers from Middle Tennessee.
“I’m excited to feature these farmers at Downtown on the Farm,” said Janie Becker, who is working with the chefs and farmers to create a locally sourced menu. “I also hope to introduce some of these locally owned restaurants to more area farms so that they can build strong relationships and help support each other in the future.”
Early bird tickets will go on sale Aug. 28 at $80 each, regular price tickets will be $100. Get tickets here.
Tickets include dinner for one and a signature cocktail. Every ticket holder will also receive a commemorative, handmade cup made by a Tennessee-based potter.
Sponsorships are still available. To sponsor Downtown on the Farm and help a student attend college, contact Event Co-Chairwomen Gretchen Bilbro or Michelle Willard.