This summer, Caney Fork Farms welcomed back two Skidmore College interns, Evan and Eleanor, to support our ongoing research efforts and deepen their understanding of regenerative agriculture. Guided by our Head of Research and Outreach, Dr. Emily Stutzman, their 10-week internship is designed to provide hands-on experience across every aspect of the farm, from soil sampling to community engagement.
While their primary focus is research, the interns have jumped into nearly every farm role. Whether harvesting veggies, helping with livestock chores, or working the Caney Fork Farms booth at the Richland Park and East Nashville Farmers Market, Evan and Eleanor are gaining firsthand knowledge of how regenerative farming connects land, food, and people.
Beyond the Research Plot: Getting Their Hands Dirty
When weather conditions make data collection tricky, our interns don’t just sit around. Over the past few weeks, they’ve harvested thousands of pounds of potatoes and cabbage, helped trellis tomatoes, packed CSA boxes, and pulled towering weeds alongside our Veggie Team. They also joined the sales crew in Nashville to meet customers face-to-face and share more about our regenerative farming mission.
Connecting with Local and Regional Agricultural Leaders
Their experience extends beyond Caney Fork Farms. Last month, they visited Sequatchie Cove Farm in Sequatchie, TN, where farmers Kelsey and Bill offered a tour of their organic, pasture-raised egg operation. Caney Fork proudly stocks Sequatchie Cove eggs, so seeing the source was a full-circle moment. After enjoying fresh blueberries and a tasting of their award-winning cheese, the team had lunch at a local restaurant that features ingredients from area farms.
The interns also met with Dr. Chris Vargas and Dr. Allison Walker at Vanderbilt University. Chris demonstrated soil texture testing methods in the field, and Allison gave a lab tour showcasing her research on soil-derived antibiotics.
Collaborating with Leading Research Organizations
The internship began with carbon sampling in partnership with The Soil Inventory Project (TSIP) and Dr. Kris Covey’s lab. By using 30cm core samples and bulk density testing, the interns are helping estimate total carbon stock in various fields across Caney Fork Farms. This long-term carbon data helps shape land management decisions on everything from chestnut silvopasture to no-till vegetable fields.
The soil testing didn’t stop there. Evan and Eleanor also collected samples for nutrient analysis and plant uptake, sending produce like Swiss chard to Edacious Food Lab to assess nutrient density. These results offer a nutrition label-style look at how our regenerative methods influence food quality.
In another exciting collaboration, the interns supported a University of Tennessee Knoxville graduate student researching BEAM compost and its effect on Caraflex cabbage yields. You can read more about BEAM composting and its potential benefits here.
They also collected data for the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), measuring the activity of beneficial fungi in the soil. By comparing Caney Fork’s regeneratively managed cornfields with a nearby conventional operation, they hope to better understand the role of mycorrhizal fungi in different systems.
Monitoring Our Chestnut Silvopasture
Evan and Eleanor helped monitor our hybrid chestnuts planted as part of our agroforestry efforts. Alongside Emily and our Agroforestry Manager, Danny Motichek, they assessed tree health, nut production, and associated soil changes. This work is a key part of our long-term commitment to reintroducing perennial crops and enhancing biodiversity through silvopasture.
Personal Reflections from the Interns
Evan Robertson, Senior, Environmental Science and French
This is my second year working as an intern at Caney Fork Farms and I couldn’t be happier to be back. I love living here and I love the work (even when I hate it). The people are kind and fun to be around, so even when it’s hot and you feel like dying, you’re at least dying among friends.
One of my favorite parts about this internship is when we go swimming after a long, sweaty day of working under the Tennessee sun. The cold water of the Caney Fork River is a welcome shock to our overheated bodies. My favorite time of the day is dusk—basking in the comfortable warmth of the setting sun makes me happier than almost anything. And then, once the sun has set and the sky goes from orange to pink to purple, the lightning bugs start blinking in the tall grass. It’s just good. So, so good.
Eleanor Herbert, Junior, Environmental Science Major, Biology Minor
I have really enjoyed getting to spend time outside almost from sunrise to sunset every day, because the land here has so much to offer! I have learned so much about farming in the past few weeks, but I have also enjoyed hiking out to some of the many waterfalls in the area and swimming in the Caney Fork after work.
I’ve really enjoyed sitting outside on my porch after work with a book, watching the deer and trying my best to identify some of the many birds that hang out in the trees outside our house. I have also been having a blast playing Ultimate Frisbee in Nashville a couple times each week. I joined a league and have really enjoyed meeting people from the broader Tennessee community. Through frisbee, I have been able to explore Nashville as well, through coffee spots and the farmers market!
Stay tuned for more updates as Evan and Eleanor continue their summer at Caney Fork Farms. For more on our partnerships, soil research, and regenerative farming initiatives, check out our Notes from the Field Blog and CSA Programs.