Brentwood Family Moves Back from Africa to Start Non-Profit

Joey Lankford

Not exactly everyone’s idea of the American dream to leave the comforts of Brentwood to serve in Cape Town, Africa. However, that is exactly what one family set out to do and now they run a non-profit in Franklin.

Joey Lankford, Franklin High School alumni and Brentwood resident became unsettled over five years ago. His family was living  the American dream, Lankford the CEO of his family’s business, a home in Brentwood, and a beautiful family- but he was discontent and asking himself the questions. After some soul searching, the Lankford family embarked on a five year journey with their family to Cape Town, Africa.

Joey Lankford

In a new documentary recently released, Living Hope, it follows the family’s journey as they set out to begin a food program in Africa in where they grow produce, supplying jobs to locals, and selling their produce to help provide income to their workers. Certainly, Lankford admits there were trials and difficult times but their family was changed from their experience. The adopted their fourth child Bristol from Ethiopia just months before leaving for Africa and had a biological child while they were in Africa. Lankford talks about how the culture moves at a much slower pace in Africa and how they were able to spend a lot of time together as a family.

So, after so much time away, how is the family now?

“We have been back in Brentwood for almost 18 months. Our children are doing great and are enrolled in Williamson County Schools, it’s as if they didn’t miss a beat.”

Today, Lankford continues to run a food program but this time in his own backyard.  “When we decided it was time to move back, we wanted to give back so we started Cul2vate,” says Lankford.

The pillars of Cul2vate are simply- If they grow two tomatoes, they  will sell one and the other will give away. “Believe it or not, there are hungry people who live right here in Williamson County,” says Lankford.

The second pillar creates an opportunity for future full-time employment for  farmers by providing much needed life skills and business skills training. These property sites are the training grounds for those who want to break the generational cycle of poverty by learning to feed themselves and others through agriculture and employment.

Currently, Cul2vate utilizes space at Ellington Agricultural Center and in Franklin on Academy Drive.  To date, they have donated 4,000 pounds of food that was distributed through One Gen Away, Graceworks, and Nashville Food Project. There have partnered with three local restaurants purchasing  their local produce  – Amerigo’s in Brentwood, Green Hills Grille, and Subculture Urban Cafe.  You can purchase Cul2vate  produce on Mondays at The Carpenters Square Farmers Market from 4:00-7:00  at 3016 Nolensville Pike, Nashville and on Thursdays you can find Cul2vate at  Farmin’ in the Hall at Crievewood United Methodist Church from 4:30-7:00. To learn more about Cul2vate or to volunteer with this effort, visit their website. Or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

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