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I Left Washington And Found The America Missing From D.C.
"Watching my new town rally around the Soybean Festival reminded me why “It’s a Wonderful Life” is such a heartwarming story. We remember George Bailey as the hero, but the film’s real lesson isn’t about one extraordinary man. It’s about an ordinary town. Bedford Falls survives because its people decide it is worth saving."
- Emily Osment Davis
After decades-long Tennessee festival was canceled, 'grassroots' effort aims to bring it back
In May, it was announced that the Tennessee Soybean Festival would not take place in 2026. Since then, the community has organized an alternative festival run by locals.
When the festival's cancellation was first announced, several businesses expressed their disappointment, including Martin's Coffee and Bakery, a renowned coffee shop in Martin.
"This festival did not have to die," the shop wrote on Facebook. "It could have been reimagined and brought back to its roots at a much smaller scale. Small businesses would have gladly helped make it happen."
Since then, the owners of Martin's Coffee and Bakery, John and Courtney Sellers, have organized their own smaller event with the help of other residents. The couple, who run all their business ventures together, decided to try to bring the community together and make the event happen.
Martin’s Grassroots Soybean Festival secures $30,000 tourism grant ahead of September events
MARTIN, Tenn. (WBBJ) - Martin’s Grassroots Soybean Festival receives 3-2 vote granting them $30,000 from tourism funds.
“This money places no burden on the City of Martin or its citizens. These funds ae collected through the hotel tax and are strictly designated by the state of Tennessee to promote tourism,” said Martin’s Coffee and Bakery.
The vote was 3-2 with Mayor David Belote, Danny Nanney, and Jacob Crowe all voting yes.
Martin’s Grassroots Soybean Festival was created by local volunteers, community leaders, and small businesses around the City of Martin after the Tennessee Soybean Festival was canceled back in May.
- By Catherine Boulton
MARTIN, Tenn. — The long time tradition of the Tennessee Soybean Festival has been canceled by the organizing committee.
However, a local organizer is working to preserve the 30 year annual event through a grassroots fundraiser.
"When we saw that the Tennessee Soybean Festival was canceled, we immediately thought of the value that the community was losing on the ability to gather and celebrate each other," John Sellers said.
Sellers and his wife talked for less than an hour and decided to announce the Martin's Grassroots Soybean Festival. Comments, likes, and shares swarmed around the post with people enthusiastic of the event.
"Seeing the support behind the idea of a grassroots movement confirmed that someone needed to step up and to do it," Sellers said. He said he hopes this will highlight Martin's local arts, food, and crafters. While the cancelation was a disappointment, Sellers said he saw potential.
Businesses in Martin are trying to organize a grassroots soybean festival. "We're letting go of all the negativity.
Yes, it was canceled, but look at what's happening organically, right? So the future is let's come together and celebrate what makes us great," said John Sellers, the owner of Martin's Coffee & Bakery.
On May 21, the Tennessee Soybean Festival Committee announced that Martin’s biggest festival would not be happening this year due to budget constraints. People like Sellers don’t want the spirit of the festival to die.
"Having the soybean festival, which is a major boom, not just to our economy, but also the ability for us to get together and celebrate one another. That being canceled hurt a lot more than just economically. It hurt our ability to get together and be together," said Sellers.
After decades-long Tennessee festival was canceled, 'grassroots' effort aims to bring it back.
In May, it was announced that the Tennessee Soybean Festival would not take place in 2026. Since then, the community has organized an alternative festival run by locals.
When the festival's cancellation was first announced, several businesses expressed their disappointment, including Martin's Coffee and Bakery, a renowned coffee shop in Martin.
"This festival did not have to die," the shop wrote on Facebook. "It could have been reimagined and brought back to its roots at a much smaller scale. Small businesses would have gladly helped make it happen."
Since then, the owners of Martin's Coffee and Bakery, John and Courtney Sellers, have organized their own smaller event with the help of other residents. The couple, who run all their business ventures together, decided to try to bring the community together and make the event happen.