Read about what this Hixson farm is up to + how the soil is benefiting. | Photo by Ruthie Lunsford via Alter Eco Farms
When you touch soil, did you know there should be a village of microorganisms keeping the dirt viable for growth? Did you also know that often, this village is dwindling?
Alter Eco Farms, a soil food web specialized lab in Hixson, has set out to reintroduce the biodiversity soil should naturally have — let’s dive into how with Founder Krisi Olivero.
Where did the idea of Alter Eco Farms start?
The idea started from how excited you get when you plant something and you see the seed come up + like that pure joy that everybody experiences. If they sprout the seed, they’re thrilled — that was a feeling that I was like, “How do we give that to everybody?”
That’s when I got introduced to the world of soil biology, I took a couple of free classes with Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School — learning about all of the microorganisms, learning about how restoring microorganisms can restore our soils.
Check out the difference between a store-bought soil mixture + Alter Eco Farms’ compost under the microscope — psst: That’s a nematode you see.
Photos by NOOGAtoday
What exactly are you doing here at the farm?
So, we specialize in restoring soil microorganisms, in short. If we take that back, into a bigger picture — if you go into an old-growth forest and take a sample of soil + put it under a microscope, you’re gonna see billions of little living creatures. If you go to the average backyard, even ours here, you’ll probably only see bacteria.
Most of the world’s soils have lost all of these phenomenally helpful microorganisms — the reason we need fertilizers and additives is because we’ve killed the microorganisms.
If we could go in there, and we put the microorganisms back, they’d naturally fix themselves.
Can you explain the process to me like I’m five years old?
It’s complex and not — a full soil food web has several essential microorganisms. Those are bacteria, fungi, protozoa + nematodes, you really need those four at minimum.
Want to learn how the food web works + local impact?
Fairy House Building Workshop | 1-3 p.m. | Chattanooga Audubon Society | $10 | Use your imagination + natural materials to build a mystical home fit for fairy tales.
Burgers + Bourbon | 6-9 p.m. | Sweet & Savory Classroom | $97 | Become the grill master as you sip on bourbon and make fresh buns, pickles + your own toppings.
Dragon Bingo | 7-9 p.m. | The Dragon Lounge | $5+ | Practice your “Bingo” shouts during this friendly competition to win prizes — proceeds benefit The Seed Theatre.
Wednesday, April 9
Opening Day | 7:15 p.m. | AT&T Field | $7+ | Come out for the first home game of the season as the Lookouts take on the Birmingham Barons + see the kiddos run the bases after the game.
Thursday, April 10
Paint & Sip | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bud’s Creative Arts Center, Hixson | $45 | BYOB to recreate Zena, the red-tailed hawk, in this guided wildlife-themed painting session — proceeds support HappiNest Raptor Rescue.
“Proof” | Thursday, April 10-Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | The Ringgold Depot, Ringgold, GA | $10+ | See a local production of this drama by David Auburn that follows a troubled young woman who spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician.
Friday, April 11
National Pet Day + Movie in a Park | 6-9 p.m. | Greenway Farm Park, Hixson | Free | Bring your pet to the park to enjoy games, music, treats, and a screening of “The Garfield Movie.”
Saturday, April 12
4 Bridges Arts Festival | Saturday, April 12-Sunday, April 13 | Times vary | First Horizon Pavilion | $5+ | Shop artwork from 140 artists from around the country, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, and more — children under 18 get free entry.*
The Chattanooga Zoo has welcomed the fourth member of its giraffe herd — Kuzco, a one-year-old from the New Orleans Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center. You can go visit Kuzco + see how he is settling in when visiting the zoo’s Cape of Africa exhibit.
Development
After receiving a seven-figure donation, UTC is one step closer to constructing its new women’s athletics facility — where the UTC Sports Complex and Engel Stadium sites are located. The complex will feature soccer competition and practice facilities, beach volleyball locker rooms + softball practice facilities and locker rooms. (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)
Biz
The people have spoken for TVFCU’s Idea Leap Grant. Jordan Ariel Agency (Chattanooga), Visionary Motorsports & Fabrication (Ocoee) + Gowin Valley Farms (Northwest Georgia) are the winners of the People’s Choice round, where they will go on to compete for $30,000 in their regions.
Coming Soon
Peet’s Coffee will soon be available inside Hotel Clemons, a boutique hotel on Chestnut Street. Follow along on Instagram for updates on when you can order your cup of joe from its third location in the West Village.
Seasonal
The Chattery’s Great Adult Egg Hunt and Hoppy Hour is slated for Saturday, April 19 at Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. Attendees can sip on cocktails before looking for eggs hidden around the field that were decorated by local artists + can hop over to Oddstory Brewing Co. afterward.
Read
Reading just got easier at the Chattanooga Public Library with expanded services. With the help of Firefly Interlibrary Loans, you can now access books from other Tennessee libraries. The library is also launching Library Smart Lockers around town for you to pick up + drop off materials. (Chattanoogan.com)
Arts
Speaking of the library, applications are now open for the return of the Chattanooga Zine Fest on Saturday, May 17. Experienced + novice self-publishers, artists, and creators can submit their work by Thursday, May 1 to be a vendor.
Ever wondered, “Why am I seeing this ad?” RAD Intel fixes that so brands get 3.5x better results and customers actually get seen (in a good way). Investors include Adobe, Fidelity, and insiders from Google and Meta. The company is pre-IPO and shares are 55 cents. Invest before prices change on Thursday, April 10.†*
Shop
Put your business’s product or service in front of 50,000+ locals in our upcoming Parents’ Gift Guide. Don’t wait — secure your spot just in time for Mother’s Day + Father’s Day celebrations.
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Get those helping hands dirty
Volunteers can help with farm maintenance and harvesting efforts at Crabtree Farms. | Photo by Julie Ellison via Crabtree Farms
With the warmer weather, it’s time to start logging those volunteer hours outside — here are five ways to keep things green in the Scenic City.
Green Steps | Green Steps hosts monthly community cleanups topick up litter around trails, parks, open spaces, neighborhoods, and city limits.
Keep the TN River Beautiful | This organization hosts cleanup events throughout the Tennessee River watershed.
Chattanooga Audubon Society | Help build trails, lead student trips, or help in the visitor center as a volunteer at this wildlife sanctuary.
Lookout Mountain Conservancy | Join efforts to inspire others to care for the mountain — opportunities vary from a couple of hours to on-and-off all year long.
Lula Lake Land Trust | Help work Open Gate Days and special events or get your hands dirty maintaining trails — volunteers receive incentives like free access to the Core Preserve based on hours logged.
A cap sleeve V-neck tee with a tasteful ruching design. Crafted from soft, breathable fabric and available in 10+ colors, this shirt will become your go-to for spring and summer outfits.
During my visit with Alter Eco Farms, I felt like I was reliving my favorite parts of science class when we tested soil under the microscope. If you want to see the magic firsthand, check out the Meet the Microorganisms class on Saturday, April 19.
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