An introduction to Sustainability from a Permaculture and Spiritual Perspective. Taught by Robert Rembert IV who has extensive experience and education from his studies in permaculture in Sintra Portugal .

Nature, singing, refreshments, and an experience worth checking out. Come join us at the Farm. Big East Fork Farm, 5420 Big East Fork Rd, Franklin TN.

Free Admission, Donations encouraged. RSVP info@cssfamily.org

Join us for outdoor open house at farm pavilion.

Pumpkins and piggies ! Rosie and Dolly the donkeys ! Winston the slobbery cow! Nature hikes! Bring a picnic for our picnic tables.

Saturday, September 16, 10am to 6pm CSS will host creek walks, hikes in the forest, blackberry picking, field games, animal visits (chickens, pigs, Rosie the Donkey, and Winston the Cow). Cool off in one of several stock tanks. Ending with dinner in the pavilion. Please RSVP to info @ cssfamily.org

The "Founder's day Arts Festival" honors of Karel Grace Dye, founder of the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission and celebrates of her 85th birthday.

When: Saturday Sep 9th 2023 10am-3pm
Where: Center for Sustainable Stewardship

5400 Big East Fork rd. Franklin TN
Co-sponsors of this event are the  Center for Sustainable Stewardship, the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission, and the Arts Council of Williamson County. Artists from both non-profit arts organizations are invited to participate in this festival, honoring Karel Grace's life long commitment in support of the Arts in Williamson county.

Join us to support the arts & celebrate KarelGrace's Birthday.

CSS fun farm day

Chase chickens

Feed piggies, pet cow and donkey
Play games,

Explore big East Fork Creek

CSS will host creek walks, hikes in the forest, field games, animal visits (chickens, ducks, pigs, Rosie the Donkey, and Winston the Cow. Ending with dinner in the pavilion.

CSS fun farm day

Swim with ducks,

Chase chickens
Ride a pony,

Feed piggies, pet cow and donkey
Play games,

Explore big East Fork Creek

Tennessee under the Sea!
Join us and travel back in time on an educational creek hike at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (Center for Sustainable Stewardship (cssfamily.org)) with Geologist and Invertebrate Paleontologist Ian Forsythe (Expert Profile: Ian Forsythe | Research Directory (uc.edu)). 450 Million years ago central Tennessee was at the bottom of a shallow subtropical sea, come learn about this ancient environment and the animals that called it home." Bring shoes you don't mind getting wet!

12:30pm Saturday June 24

Meet at the CSS Farm Store . Park at 5420 Big East Fork Rd

Please RVSP to info@cssfamily.org

7pm - 9pm

Dress with layers in case temperature drops and prevention of too many bug bites and ticks. BRING headlamp or flashlight and water. Earthing barefoot at the end is optional! RSVP 615-772-8469

We will begin with a cooler evening hike ending with awe at the full moon rising. Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) Volunteer, Nerissa Aquino, will provide access on this private sanctuary. It is an event to heal our spirits for better health and energy. We will encourage feelings of appreciation and gratitude for Life and the connection with the natural environment. This has been known to create a deeper sense of well-being, joy, and ease.

7pm Meet at CSS - designated parking area as this is private property. GPS 5400 Big East Fork Rd, 37064 but do not park at this residence or the farm, but drive northbound about 200 yards until you see the CSS sign and grass parking area. A yellow flag will also be placed on volunteer’s car for visibility.

7:15pm Begin a mindfulness hike on the Peach Orchard trail upto the Sunset trail. Expect a short but moderately steep section of elevation gain. There will be a couple of very shallow wet areas of stream crossings and soft soil down in this hollow. It is truly a nature sanctuary for all. This an invitation to allow the experience bathed in the forest beauty to support your own personal healing journey as well as inspire joy and gratitude.

8:15pm Return to parking area where we can take out picnic blanket, camping chairs or stand and earth barefeet in the cool evening grass as we observe the celestial sky! We will ask to keep flashlights off as much as possible.

**A NEW EVENT! Come try it out and tell us what you think.**

Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) Volunteer, Nerissa "enerLeaf" Aquino, will provide access on this private sanctuary and accompany the group on a quiet stay in the healing woods - an individual forest bathing event:

What is Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin-yoku)?

Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. ... It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a natural "pill" to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.

Here's a 2018 Time magazine article on Forest Bathing's Health benefits:

https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/#:~:text=Shinrin%20in%20Japanese%20means%20%E2%80%9Cforest,the%20forest%20through%20our%20senses.&text=It%20is%20simply%20being%20in,yoku%20is%20like%20a%20bridge.

1st) 30 minute casual hike into the forest on the Peach Orchard Trail to Hidden Pond then to the the stream crossing where Farm Loop trail picks up. We'll get to chat and briefly discuss the time together.

2nd) 45 minutes - attendees are invited to find a place of their own along the section traveled for their own forest bathing experience. Here are some suggestions:

~Mindful quiet Movement - stretches, yoga, creative expression, tai chi, nature dance, Movenat, close examination of the forest ecosystem, earthing, photography, green exercise

~Rest - take a nap against a tree, meditation, silent observations

~Reflection - journaling, drawing/sketching, prayer

3rd) 40 minute hike up to the Sunset Trail and back to parking area.

4th) Optional: Bring Your own Dinner picnic social (a refrigerator is available)

PARKING

Please park in the designated CSS grass parking lot. Look for large brown banner "Event Parking" signs and a yellow flag on Leader's car. It will have it's own separate grassy entrance beside stream and large round bale of hay very close to Big East Fork Road.

Please do not park at the farm adjacent to the 5400 property's entrance.

********

Standard Notice/Liability Waiver (partial text)

Hold Harmless Agreement

In consideration for the permission and privilege to engage in activities on properties owned by the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS), Big East Fork Farms (BEFF), and Jonathan Oppenheiemr (JO), I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless CSS, BEFF, and JO from any suits, costs, damages, or loss while engaged in activities on property owned by CSS, BEFF, or JO...

*All adult attendees will have to agree to and sign this waiver upon arrival.*

To honor and remember those lives that were impacted by the corona virus pandemic will be memorialized through nature-friendly hand-made art pieces and a mindful hike. We will gather the birdseed spiral art memorials that were created over the weekend, gently attach them to trees along a designated section of the Farm Trail Loop. The hike to the Covid-19 Memorial area will cover 1 mile distance with some elevation but is considered an easy to moderate level hike. We will take our time.

The Center for Sustainable Stewardship presents Dr. John Ayers’ presentation, “What is environmental sustainability, and how can we promote it in Middle TN?" at Big East Fork Retreat, 5375 Big East Fork Rd on Saturday, December 1st from 2-4pm.

 

Dr. Ayers is the Vanderbilt University Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and recently published a book on Sustainablity. He has submitted the Retreat Center and nonprofit organization to become part of various Vanderbilt-sponsored sustainability research studies.  https://my.vanderbilt.edu/johncayers/

 

Join us at the Retreat for an engaging presentation and discussion.

Our goal is to reach out to residents, businesses and our sustainability community partners as we explore the different themes surrounding sustainability.

 

From Dr. Ayers:

"Sustainability promotes human wellbeing now and in the future. Environmental sustainability protects some of the natural environment so that it can continue to provide critical ecosystem services in the future, thereby ensuring high levels of food, water, and energy security. In the Anthropocene, human population growth and increasing material consumption are causing unsustainable environmental impacts that are changing Earth on a global scale. Climate change and biodiversity loss may reduce the ability of future generations to maintain a high level of wellbeing. In the spirit of the motto 'Think global, act local', I will discuss some of the sustainability challenges we face in Middle TN, and possible solutions."

 

RSVP at info@cssfamily.org Dr. Ayers' talk will be relevant to High School ages and up. Free to the public but donations gratefully accepted.

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

Join host Tony Gerber, Massood Taj and Dr. Jonathan Oppenheimer meeting for Sustainability Radio Interviews and podcast every Thursday at 2 p.m. There may also be occasional guest speakers.

Conversations from the Retreat deal with current topics being explored and discussed at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship in Franklin, TN.

Listen to all of our podcasts here: https://www.cssfamily.org/radio/

Join us to paint with Kathy Tupper. Kathy, an incredibly talented artist and gifted teacher, was the first "city artist" in the country, hired by the City of Nashville in 1974.

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

Join host Tony Gerber, Massood Taj and Dr. Jonathan Oppenheimer meeting for Sustainability Radio Interviews and podcast every Thursday at 2 p.m. There may also be occasional guest speakers.

Conversations from the Retreat deal with current topics being explored and discussed at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship in Franklin, TN.

Listen to all of our podcasts here: https://www.cssfamily.org/radio/

Join us to paint with Kathy Tupper. Kathy, an incredibly talented artist and gifted teacher, was the first "city artist" in the country, hired by the City of Nashville in 1974.

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

Join host Tony Gerber, Massood Taj and Dr. Jonathan Oppenheimer meeting for Sustainability Radio Interviews and podcast every Thursday at 2 p.m. There may also be occasional guest speakers.

Conversations from the Retreat deal with current topics being explored and discussed at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship in Franklin, TN.

Listen to all of our podcasts here: https://www.cssfamily.org/radio/

Join us to paint with Kathy Tupper. Kathy, an incredibly talented artist and gifted teacher, was the first "city artist" in the country, hired by the City of Nashville in 1974.

If you play music or like to listen to Folk/ Jazz in a casual rustic environment or if you enjoy meeting interesting folks and having engaging conversations, then come on over and participate in our open-mic format.

Bring your favorite covered dish to share in the cozy front room overlooking the lake. The Retreat's main stage in open to songwriters, pickers and other musicians who choose to share music and inspiration among supportive friends.

The music is free, but a $10 day pass can be purchased by those wanting to explore the beauty of the surrounding forest, meadows, lake and streams which are a brief walk from the Retreat Center and located on a 1,400 acre conservation easement with numerous hiking trails.

There's no better way to refresh the mind, spirit and body after - or before - a long week of hard work. BEF Retreat offers the best of Middle Tennessee's natural beauty. Add music and generous fellowship, and you can count on feeling inspired and uplifted!

Join us on meetup: https://www.meetup.com/Nashville-Folk-Jazz-Music-Meetup

Join host Tony Gerber, Massood Taj and Dr. Jonathan Oppenheimer meeting for Sustainability Radio Interviews and podcast every Thursday at 2 p.m. There may also be occasional guest speakers.

Conversations from the Retreat deal with current topics being explored and discussed at the Center for Sustainable Stewardship in Franklin, TN.

Listen to all of our podcasts here: https://www.cssfamily.org/radio/