Lori Birckhead

Lori Birckhead

Lori Birckhead is the co-founder of Fed By Faith, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the owner of By Faith Farm in Joelton, Tennessee. Founded in 2011 alongside her husband, Jim, Lori established the farm to combat hunger by growing and distributing fresh, nutrient-dense food to underserved communities. Despite having no prior gardening experience, Lori was inspired to answer God’s call to help those in need, and she embraced the challenge with unwavering faith. To date, the farm has provided over 194,000 pounds of food. Through permaculture practices, Lori and her co-founder, Christy Palmer, grow 20,000–30,000 pounds of food annually, promoting environmental sustainability. This dedication has earned Lori the Davidson County Soil Conservation District’s Conservation "Farmer of the Year" award and the farm has been designated a River Friendly farm for its conservation efforts.   To support the farm’s mission, Lori and Christy founded Fed By Faith in 2021, a nonprofit that funds the farm’s operations. Additionally, the farm offers agritourism experiences, including a seasonal You Pick flower garden, barn apartment rental and a small campground on the farm's 97 acres, helping raise awareness about food insecurity while generating income to sustain the farm. Lori’s faith-driven leadership and commitment to service inspire everyone she works with, including the volunteers—affectionately called "Farm Angels"—who help cultivate a strong sense of community. Outside of the farm, Lori enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and four grandchildren.