
Hosted by Amy Campbell · EN
An independently published radio show and podcast featuring the people of the state of Tennessee and surrounding states who produce, prepare, and preserve regional foods and agricultural products. Often with that Appalachian flair.

Farmer Aliceson Bales of Bales Farm, Mosheim TN, shares her recipe for buttermilk chicken. The late Lois Shular Caughron and her daughter Ruth Davis of Blount County, TN, with a recipe their family has enjoyed for many years, which is easy to prepare and economical, Chicken and Crackers. James Beard award-winning food writer Ronni Lundy reads from her book “Shuck Beans, Stack Cake, and Honest Fried Chicken The Heart and Soul of Southern Country Kitchens”, published in 1990. In this recording, she reads from her book on honest fried Chicken prepared in cast iron.

Today we are sitting around the table and visiting with a family and farm and how this family uses their skills to farm, cook, and host elevated meals for private events and, on occasion, community dinners. We visit with Farm to Feast founders Chef Jeff Jorgensen, event planner Jessica Jorgensen, and Jeff’s sister Heather Fulghum, ecology teacher, farmer, and founder of She Diggs Farm, located in the Hardin Valley area of Knoxville, TN. Heather grows the food, Jeff uses it to provide farm-inspired dinners using seasonal ingredients, and Jessica uses her hospitality and event planning background to create elegant feasts on the family farm.

Jim Sanford is a renowned trainer and breeder of Lagotto Romagnolo dogs, known for their intelligence and truffle-hunting abilities. His unconventional career began with two decades of elephant training across the globe before he settled in Tennessee. At Blackberry Farm, a luxury resort, Jim initially contributed to fly fishing and horseback riding programs. His career took a new direction in 2007 when he was asked to train a Lagotto Romagnolo to find truffles—despite not knowing what a truffle was at the time. This challenge led to the development of a breeding program, importing dogs from Italy and training them for truffle work. Over the years, Jim has delivered more than 300 Lagotto puppies to owners, emphasizing that proper training and ongoing involvement are essential. The dogs, beloved for their curly hypoallergenic coats and affectionate personalities, have become a signature part of the Blackberry Farm experience. Jim now also leads truffle-hunting tours in Italy and organizes events like Il Raduno, a springtime reunion for Lagotto owners at the farm. His work reflects not only a deep love for animals but also a talent for building personal connections and experiences through his unique skill set.

Today we are setting the table with Livermush and news about the Annual Livermush Festival that takes place June 6, 2026 in Marion, NC. Our guests today are Natalie Bell and Alena Carson. Natalie Bell is the Events and Outreach Coordinator for the Marion Business Association. Alena (Lena) Carson is co-owner of “Mama T’s Rolling Snack Shack” she and her team won “Crowd Favorite” for savory Livermush dish during the Food Truck Rodeo at the 14, 15 and 17th Annual Livermush Festival and she aims to win another trophy again this year.

We honor Memorial Day. We are so very appreciative of the service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. If you are fortunate enough to be able to go to a backyard cookout, I have some recipes for foods that go along with cookouts. Amy shares recipes for Cornbread salad, Corn Muffins that will make people think you are the best cook in this world, Alice's and Barry Bales (Bales Farm, Misheim TN) recipe and directions for making Smoked Pork Shoulder and Sauce. If you would like to see a video of Amy Campbell demonstrating how to make the cornbread salad, WBIR is streaming their Grillin’ and Chillin’: Summer Recipes segment, This series showcases some great recipes that are perfect to take to summer cookouts. My video starts at the 9:50 time stamp. If you enter WBIR.com on your computer, it starts right up when you locate for the "Grillin’ and Chillin’ title" on their website WBIR.com.

Today, we set the table with some good food and memories in honor of Mother’s Day. First, we’ll visit Mary Lynn Snyder, who shares memories of growing up in the R.C. Tway coal mining camp outside Harlan, KY. Then, she’ll share her Mother Ruby’s cooking ways and a recipe for “Mama Ruby’s Creamy Lemon Pie.” Also on the program - Fred’s Sauceman shares a lovely audio essay in memory of his late mother-in-law, Elsie Maddux Derting. And I share a story and recipe about my late mother, Edwena Janie Clayton, Mississippi, and kilt salad for supper.

We are setting the table today with cornbread. I've assembled an all-star lineup of guests today to talk about this soul-satisfying staple. Karen Shankles has twice won first place at the annual National Cornbread Festival cook-off. Today, she shares her recipe for Festive Good Luck Corn Bread Skillet with us. James Beard Award-winning food writer Ronni Lundy lets us know how she makes her skillet cornbread that goes with a pot of soup beans. And she also shares with us what she calls her tao of cornbread. Food preservationist with deep family ties to the East TN mountains and mountain cooking Shannon Walker lets us know how he makes his cornbread and his thoughts on cast iron cookware and old ways. And “Mountain Man”, Josh Lowans of Salubrious Farms, Walland, Knoxville, describes a Cornbread salad recipe that his better half Meagan makes and is his family's go-to recipe.

Today, our feature is 4-H and how this organization is vital to our community and country through youth and adult volunteer programs. Our special featured guest today is the late Dr. Joe Johnson, President Emeritus of the University of Tennessee. I originally recorded and aired this show in 2014 during the first season of my show. I am currently in my 13th season. So, this recording was actually made in 2014 in Dr. Johnson’s office at UT, Knoxville when Dr. Johnson was still working. He passed in 2023. Having served on the foundation board of 4-H and participating in 4-H as a child in Alabama, Dr. Johnson relays to us his feelings on the importance of this vital organization. We'll also hear all about broccoli casserole from Fred Sauceman. Mary Constantine has a touching story about her own childhood experience with 4-H and corn muffins and Tony Lawson, General Manager of WDVX Radio will share with us his youth experiences with 4-H and how it got him out of the holler of Campbell County and exposed him to things he had not yet seen.

We are setting the table this day with the preservation of Appalachian food ways. My first guest is guest is John Tulloch of Knoxville who grew up on a farm and helped his Grandmother in the kitchen in Greeneville, TN. John is Author of “Appalachian Cooking, New and Traditional Recipes”. John will also share his way of making Succotash which is in the book. - We also get to hear from D & Jim Brown. They own and run Honey Rock Herb Farm in Louisville, TN and D shares with us how she makes cornbread with Sage. - Fred Sauceman shares a Pot Luck Radio segment about the beloved Hob Nob Drive in - which opened in 1952 outside of Gate City, Virginia. - Plus, I’ve got news about the 17th annual Wayne Scott strawberry festival happening Saturday (May 18, 2019) in Unicoi, TN Thank you so much for your interest in this podcast. It means so much to me to have you listen.

We are setting the table with Sorghum, an ancient African Grass adapted to the southern table. Fred Sauceman shares a segment with Dr. Mike Fleenor, Sorghum Maker. Ronni Lundy, 2 x James Beard award-winning food writer on differences between Sorghum and molasses. Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine shares a recipe for Butternut Squash and Apple Bake using a recipe from Ronni Lundy’s book “Sorghum Savor.”Chef Matt Gallagher on the topic of biscuits and Sorghum butter.