Nashville Smashing Pumpkins

17th Annual Smashing Pumpkins Contest and Leaf Lift Begins In Nashville

Nashville, TN. The team at EarthMatters Tennessee, is pleased to announce the kick off of the 17th annual Leaf Lift contest. Volunteers meet throughout the week at the group’s central composting site and community garden know as the George W. Carver Food Park. It’s located at 10th Ave. South (Lealand Ave.) and Gale Lane, at the I-440 overpass, one block south of Sevier Park.

At this location a giant composting land sculpture has been created about 360 feet in diameter. A flight study from Metro Airport Authority suggests that over 500 visitors to and from Nashville can see this impressive earthwork from the sky on each clear day. On Saturday, November 3rd, from 10-4pm, several hundred pumpkins and spent vegetables will be on hand to pulverize for the earth. "It’s great outdoor fun, gets you moving and teaches everyone about the cycles of the earth" says William Young, a long time volunteer for the organization. "It’s fun and we teach alot about gardening, composting, and recycling." Thousands of youth and families have learned about eco-friendlier lifestyles annually at the garden.

Several groups have committed to helping volunteer at the site this year and people from all walks of life come out each Saturday from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm to tend to, pick up, accept and help with people dropping off their leaves. The site also houses an impressive rose garden named in memory of famous African American country music icon DeFord Bailey. EarthMatters provides affordable backyard pallet compost bins and custom raised flower, herb and vegetable garden beds.

Volunteer Leaf Thieves are available for curbside pickup of leaves for a minimum donation of $2.00 per bag with a 10 bag minimum. The rescued leaves are then emptied at one of the neighborhood compost/garden sites in the EarthMatters network. Approximately 30,000 pounds of 100% organic compost generated by the non-profit is freely distributed and used to fertilize and provide soil sup-plement for several community gardens and beautification projects throughout Nashville. The non-profits 24 hour hotline number is (615) 252-6953 and website: earthmattersnetworks.com.