May 20, 2013
RED BOILING SPRINGS, Tenn. (AP/WVLT) -- The man known as the "Barefoot Farmer" says he is shutting down one of the state's largest and oldest organic farms.
Jeff Poppen told The Tennessean he is closing Long Hungry Creek Farm in Red Boiling Springs because he has concerns about possible contamination from a neighboring farm that has begun raising 40,000 chickens.
The neighbor, Lundy Russell, has denied Poppen's contention that the chicks will pollute his land with excessive waste. The animals are being kept in two long houses on a steep hill that overlook's Poppen's land.
Poppen has hosted hundreds of groups at his farm in addition to putting on workshops and appearing on television.
He said he plans to move, and wants to start up a similar organic farm nearby.
