Plant for a Change is a tiny farm with a huge impact. Located on just 800 square feet in a neighborhood near the downtown Nashville Farmers Market, this farm stands out among Compact-certified River Friendly Farms not only for its size and urban location, but also for its focus on native seed production and the career opportunities it provides for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The five co-owners of Plant for a Change include those with and without intellectual disabilities. They met through Vanderbilt University’s Next Steps (a four-year certificate program providing neurodiverse students an inclusive postsecondary education) as well as the Masters program for Special Education. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when job prospects were particularly dismal for those with intellectual disabilities, the group was inspired to become their own employers; at a time when many would have seen a dead end, they saw an opportunity.
Plant for a Change was founded to promote environmental and social change. While the most recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Americans with disabilities have a nearly 80% unemployment rate, the Plant for a Change farmers defy statistics.1 Their efforts include reducing stormwater runoff, increasing native pollinator habitat for insects, providing equitable job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and honoring indigenous stewardship of native plants.
River Friendly Farm Certified
In 2024, Plant for a Change was certified as a River Friendly Farm by the Cumberland River Compact.
“The path [to] certification gave our farm a sense of
belonging, accountability, and commitment to best practices that [will] tie our flourishing to the health of our waterways. While the river isn’t in sight [of the farm property], we are committed to eliminating stream pollution from our farm entering the river through our sidewalks and streets.”
The River Friendly Farm certification program from the Cumberland River Compact recognizes farmers who are good stewards of water and land resources, connecting them with consumers who value a healthy environment. As a River Friendly Farm, Plant for a Change is ensuring cleaner water, healthier soil, and a more resilient climate for the people and creatures living in the surrounding environment.
Regenerative Urban Farm Practices
Urban farms like Plant for a Change set a crucial example for environmental stewardship in cities. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) show higher concentrations of pesticides in urban and suburban streams than in agricultural areas.2 Urban streams also have more herbicides, fertilizers, and soil sediment in them. This unfortunate truth makes the work of urban farms like Plant For a Change even more vital.
To combat soil erosion, they use heavy, natural mulches to slow rainwater and enhance soil absorption. This approach not only reduces runoff but also helps maintain moisture during droughts.
Rain barrels minimize stormwater flow into city drains, while also reducing the farm’s water costs. The farm is pesticide-free, relying on native insect populations to maintain a healthy ecosystem rather than using chemicals.
Visit Plant for a Change in the summer, and you may see a riot of vibrant purple bergamot and aster set against the bright yellow blooms of black-eyed susans and goldenrod. Over 100 different native species have been planted at the farm over the last four years and have invited all manner of insects. In fact, the Plant for a Change team has counted just under 50 different species of butterflies and moths! But these blooms are not just for the birds and bees: Their primary purpose is to be sold through the farm’s seed brand, SustainAble TennesSeeds, which can be purchased in select retailers and online here.
Seeds With a Story
Each hand-harvested seed packet has a beautiful illustration and features Indigenous uses for the plant, land acknowledgments, and the plant’s Cherokee name.
The Nashville area has been home to Indigenous peoples for at least 14,000 years.3 Prior to European interference, the Cherokee controlled land across the southeast roughly the size of Tennessee.4 Historians attribute the abundance of North America upon European arrival to the land stewardship practices of indigenous peoples, a legacy which is continued to this day by organizations like the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee.5 Plant for a Change nods to these regenerative stewardship values through their packaging.
Support Plant for a Change
By purchasing native seeds from Plant for a Change, you’re supporting a farm that’s making a tangible impact on both the environment and the neurodivergent community in Nashville. SustainAble TennesSeeds packets are available through a handful of retail outlets, like Gardens of Babylon, and through the farm’s online store. Shallowly plant the seeds in your garden in the late winter or early spring, and watch your garden bloom!
You can stay connected with the work of Plant for a Change on Instagram and Facebook.
Through its combination of sustainable practices, commitment to social equity, and celebration of Indigenous culture, Plant for a Change proves that small farms can make a big difference—one seed at a time.
