​Lookout Mountain, GA:  Like most nonprofit organizations struggling with fundraising events in the time of COVID-19, Lula Lake Land Trust (LLLT) is no different. Their biggest fundraiser, Hike Bike Brew Lula Lake Beer Festival, was rescheduled from March to August, and now they’d had to make a tough decision due to the ongoing pandemic. 
 
“Hike Bike Brew is, by far, Lula Lake's biggest fundraiser,” says Matthew Hubbard, LLLT Director of Development. “Our beer festival is a crowd favorite, drawing people in from as far as Seattle and New York City. We’re putting the safety of our community first by making the decision to cancel Hike Bike Brew. This event is a staff favorite too, and we worked tirelessly planning it. Then we worked even harder re-planning it in hopes to help raise funds for Lula Lake’s trails and conservation efforts.”
 
After making the decision to cancel, an idea sparked through discussions with staff and brewery sponsors that led to the creation of a "plan C" for the fundraiser. 
 
LLLT is proud to present Brewery Quest: Alternative Beer Festival to raise funds in the void left by the cancellation of Hike Bike Brew. Each “Explorer” ticket buyer will embark on a solo mission to visit (8) Chattanooga area breweries, and they will receive a voucher for one “Hike Bike Brew pour” at each brewery in addition to a limited edition, eco-friendly souvenir cup.
 
“We’re so honored by the breweries and the willingness of our corporate partners to back this alternative beer festival,” Hubbard continues. “Hike Bike Brew would have raised funds equivalent to 6 miles of new trails. LLLT can only hope our community will embrace this new route as well as support small business by visiting each brewery.”
 
Explorer Tickets for Brewery Quest are $50, which includes the aforementioned vouchers and souvenir cup plus a 15 feet of trail work guarantee, can be purchased online at www.LulaLake.org/Events. Pick-up for ticket purchases will be in downtown Chattanooga or the LLLT offices in August. Full details on ticketing website.
 
Brewery Quest: Alternative Beer Festival and Lula Lake’s trail work initiatives are proudly sponsored by Five Wits Brewing Company, Chattanooga Brewing Company, WanderLinger Brewing Company, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Naked River Brewing Company, OddStory Brewing Company, Phantom Horse Brewing Company, Dalton Brewing Company, Elly, Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium, Audi Chattanooga, Village Volkswagen of Chattanooga, and First Horizon.

The Rising Pines Farm Market began with an extra head of lettuce. But a plethora of summer squash sealed the deal.

“The idea of an open market started last year as my sweet neighbor kept offering extra produce from his garden … just as I was also trying to give my extras away,” said Connie Ward, former Fairyland Elementary School teacher.

Not about to let their precious produce go to waste but also producing more than they could eat themselves, a few folks thought about putting up a stand by the road and asking people to self-pay. But they realized the traffic might pose a problem; even if it didn’t cause traffic jams exactly, cars pulling in and out at all times would upset dogs and disrupt quiet farm life. But Connie had an idea.

“I work in the garden most afternoons and realized that one day a week I could have a farm stand open, since I am up there anyway,” she said. Picking cucumbers and smelling homegrown tomatoes, she thought about other items that might be of interest to browsers.

“The idea grew as I considered including some my own creative crafts. I realized this could provide an outlet for other community farmers and artists,” she said, citing pottery, wood turned wares, homemade bread, beautiful bouquets, salsa, honey and paper mache creations.

For $10, a vender can set up a space. All vender fees go to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, where her husband, Dane, has volunteered for years.

“Rising Pines Farm Market’s goal is to promote work of friends and family by providing an opportunity to share their creative and agriculture efforts. We live in a community where artists, gardeners, farmers and craftsmen are abundant. We hope this market will become a showcase for our community’s treasures,” Connie said.

So there you have it - the Rising Pines Farm Market. You never know what you will find, but it will always be homegrown or handmade.

The Rising Pines Farm Market will be open Thursdays from 4-6 p.m., June through September, at the Ward’s farm at 10384 Highway 157 in Rising Fawn.

by Ferris Robinson