A chance encounter with a gentleman back in 2008, while he and his church were cleaning and restoring a cemetery, sent Chris questioning how and why he did church, In 2018 he began to find answers to these questions when he started a garden. Since 2018, Chris has sought to fight food insecurity in his zipcode in Knoxville, seeking to transform a food desert into a food oasis through Battlefield Farm and Garden.

I was fortunate enough to sit down and have a wonderful conversation about Chris's journey and the incredible work he is doing for his community. In some ways he has become pastor to more people through planting a garden, people who would never step foot into a church.

Originally from Cincinnati, Chris has earned degrees from Morehouse College, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Cincinnati Bible College. Since then, he has pastored churches in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee, while also being an adjunct professor both in the US and abroad. He has also been an active member of his communities, working with diverse faith groups to tackle pressing issues, including gun violence and creation care.

In 2018, his life trajectory changed when he started a community garden, named Battlefield Farm, across the street from Tabernacle Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN, which opened his eyes to the effect of food disparity in his community. Since 2018, the garden has grown and now includes the Eastside Sunday Market. Chris now also is helping other churches and organizations establish gardens.

Battlefield Farm: https://battlefieldfarm.org/
Chris Battle Instagram: @battlefieldfarm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/battlefieldfarmandgardens

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