Windy Springs Farm is a 23-acre organic vegetable farm located in the beautiful Appalachian foothills just outside of Knoxville, TN. For farm owners Philip and Alison Beebe, the farm is the realization of a long-standing dream of trading their busy city lives for a life that is simpler and more meaningful. Their farming philosophy, too, is simple but profound: to grow food that is fresh, free of chemicals, and healthy – not only for their customers, but also for the land.
Of course, a simpler life doesn’t mean an easier one. The tremendous amount of work the Beebes have put into stewarding their land is apparent from the moment you step foot on the property. The conservation practices they use on the farm can be more time-consuming than conventional agricultural practices, but it is the time and attention that makes the difference. For Philip and Alison, opting to use practices like minimal tillage, cover crops, and organic pest control is well worth the reward of producing fresh, highly nutritious food (that also tastes great!).
River Friendly Farm Certified
In 2026, Windy Springs Farm was certified as a River Friendly Farm by the Cumberland River Compact. 
“We were excited to find the River Friendly Farms program because their values align with ours. Here at Windy Springs Farm, we are very conscientious about how our methods of growing affect not only our land and waterways, but the ecosystem that stretches beyond our farm. Being mindful of our organic methods leads us to have wonderful soil for our plants to thrive. Happy plants mean great tasting produce that our customers get to enjoy week after week. Being good stewards of the land allows us to help not only our generation, but the generations to follow.”
The River Friendly Farm certification program with 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, Windy Springs Farm is ensuring cleaner water, healthier soil, and a more resilient climate for the people and creatures living in the surrounding environment.
River-Friendly BMPs
The Beebes’ approach to farming is “all about the soil.” They believe that the best way to produce the healthiest, freshest food possible is to start by building healthy and nutrient-rich soils. Some of the key practices they use to reach that goal include cover cropping, tarping, low-input farming, minimal tillage, and frequent soil testing to monitor nutrient needs. Thanks to these practices, Windy Springs Farm is able to grow nutrient-dense produce and protect their valuable natural resources at the same time – including the beautiful spring-fed pond that sits a few hundred yards away from their production area.
Healthy Buffers for Clean Water
A dense buffer of trees, native plants, and grasses surrounds the pond on all sides, protecting it from potential runoff from the production area. Even ephemeral (sometimes flowing, sometimes dry) waterways on the property are lined by healthy riparian buffers to mitigate erosion and runoff.
Chemical Alternatives
Windy Springs Farm prides itself on using organic solutions to improve soil health. Organic mushroom compost is periodically used to add nutrients back into the soil, and cover crops are integrated into the soil to supply even more organic matter and nutrients in between growing seasons. This organic approach also means avoiding chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
The Low-Till Method
Another practice that greatly improves soil health is reduced tillage. The Beebes know that healthy soil is home to a diverse array of microbial life. Soil microbes are key to a soil’s ability to take in nutrients; they also help fight off diseases and pests. Minimal tillage techniques keep underground networks of bacteria and fungi intact. At Windy Springs, hand tools are used to work the soil in a way that greatly reduces soil disturbance – a practice that requires a lot of work, but yields excellent results when harvest time comes around.
Not only does minimal tillage help plants to thrive, but it has benefits for water quality too. When soil disturbance is kept to a minimum, plants are able to grow deeper roots. That, in turn, improves the soil’s water-holding capacity and stability – preventing runoff and erosion that can pollute waterways.
River-Friendly Recordkeeping
Windy Springs Farm’s thoughtful stewardship extends even to the behind-the-scenes details that ensure a farm runs smoothly. A small shed near the front of the property serves as both a propagation house and a library for meticulous recordkeeping; it contains records of planting dates, harvest dates, crop rotation schedules, and cleaning and sanitization of work areas. These records ensure the Beebes are meeting their high standards for cleanliness and freshness. They also help with planning where and when to plant crops each season, providing greater control over nutrient and pest management.
Every single detail at Windy Springs Farm is planned out with two principles in mind: growing the highest quality, freshest produce possible, and conserving the precious land the Beebes farm and live on. It may not be the easiest way to farm – but for Philip and Alison, it’s the only way they can imagine doing it.
How to Support Windy Springs Farm
You can purchase produce from Windy Springs Farm on Saturdays at Dixie Lee Farmers Market in Farragut, TN (just west of Knoxville). To order ahead, visit their website and get in touch with Philip and Alison. Follow this link to check what seasonal produce they have available.
