As new development consistently sees many old family farms broken up and sold for new housing, an effort is underway to recognize 100 plus year old farms and their legacy to the community.
Established in 1984 as MTSU's first Center of Excellence, the Center for Historic Preservation works with communities to interpret and promote their historic assets through education, research, and preservation. Working within state, regional, and national partnerships, the Center focuses its efforts on heritage area development, rural preservation, heritage education, and heritage tourism through diverse, inclusive preservation practice and programs. In doing so, the Center enhances citizens' sense of place, pride, and identity.
The Center works with communities under the auspices of several different programs. Our oldest program, the Tennessee Century Farms Program, recognizes farms that have been in the same family for 100 years or more.
Shawn R. Puckett, president DCCA board of directors and vice-president DCFB board of directors, said, “I started a Pay it Forward (Community Project) this year. My project is recognizing the hardworking families that maintained ownership of a family farm for 100 years or more. It’s land that has been passed down for generations. I’ve seen some that are over 200 years.”
“It’s a way to recognize the achievements your family made and to preserve their history. A lot of people may be two and three generations removed from the farm. This allows their history to be honored and stored in archives at MTSU.”
Puckett said that DeKalb County currently has eight farms listed on the Tennessee Century Farms (TCF) website, and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau (DCFB) and DeKalb County Cattlemen’s Association (DCCA) recognizes these great accomplishments.
“I know we have a lot more than that, and I would like to see more families involved and increase that number. DCFB and DCCA wants to support and encourage additional DeKalb County families to apply and qualify for a Tennessee Century Farm destination by the Center of Historic Preservation. TCA’s website includes the application and requirements. Applications may be submitted anytime of the year. The next deadline to be considered for the program this year is October 1, 2024.”
“You’ll need documents that trace back to the founder or original owner in the family to the present owner. That can be deeds, wills, and possibly even a family Bible. They will also want any historical photos or history the family is willing to share, available for public viewing. With land development increasing, there are fewer and fewer family farms surviving today.”
The Tennessee Century Farms Program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration. In 1985, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University assumed the responsibility for the program. The program was originally designed and continues to be a recognition and documentary effort. The Tennessee Century Farms Program has a farm in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
Since its inception, the statewide and ongoing program has certified more than 2,170 farms. That number includes Pioneer Century Farms (farms founded in or prior to the year 1796, the year Tennessee became a state), farms on the National Register, farms that are a part of the Land Trust for Tennessee, farms with African American founders, and farms founded by women.
Secondly, it is a documentary program that collects and interprets the agrarian history and culture of the state. The collection has supported the 1985 book, Tennessee Agriculture: A Century Farms Perspective; a traveling exhibit that toured the state from 1988-89; articles in journals and magazines; county displays; local museum exhibits; brochures and booklets; and web sites.
In 2023, the program welcomed 54 farms from across the state to the Tennessee Century Farms Program. The oldest addition was the Marshall Farm, founded in 1788 on Whites Creek in Davidson County. In 2024, we are accepting new applications February 1, June 1, and October 1.
In DeKalb County, two new farms will join the list. Magness Farm at Seven Springs was founded in 1842 by Perry Green and Helen Magness, and consisting of 160 acres. This farm was passed down through the Magness generations to the current owners Kenneth and Deborah Magness.
The Vernie Love Homeplace, founded in 1923 by Vernie Helen Love, consist of 89 acres. This farm will have a special recognition as a female founder. This farm is now owned by their great, great grandson Donald Merriman.
They will join other DeKalb Century Farms, Corley Farm – 1815, J. M. Bailiff Farm – 1875, Mullican Farm – 1910 (Woman Founder), Oakley Farm – 1875, Robert and Nettie Page Simpson Farm – 1816, Rose Farm – 1874, Stevens-Manning Farm – 1892, and Womack Farm – 1918.
If you are interested in applying to the Tennessee Century Farms Program, please visit our application and FAQs pages at www.tncenturyfarms.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tncenturyfarms.
