“Seek the Friendship of…Tennessee Local Food and Farming Systems” is a multifaceted project that combines art, sustainability, and community engagement.

We will create an interactive oversized book that serves as a living record of Tennessee's local farming movements and resources. The project takes shape through active participation, inviting attendees of the TN Local Food Summit to visually depict and share insights about their farms, communities, and regions. This collaborative art initiative aims to stimulate dialogues around various aspects of agriculture, from farming practices and sustainable techniques to reuse and broader land movements. Sustainability is at the core of the project, with an emphasis on reusing and sourcing materials. Artist Courtney Johnson’s practice is centered around reuse.

Decommissioned sheets of 19x12.5 paper from a local paper company, available in three shades, form the book's pages. These sheets are bound in an accordion fold, creating a mural-like display that spans 8.3'x 4.75' when fully opened. Participants at the summit will be invited to contribute to the mural by answering questions and adding color-coded and collaged items onto the map, along with written responses. The project's central concept is to engage participants at the TN Local Food Summit and beyond in visually representing and sharing information about their farms, communities, and regions.

Participate in this interactive project on Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 at Cumberland University Alumni Hall, 408 S Maple St, Lebanon, TN 37087.