One of my favorite events during the Smith County Fair is the Century Farm Luncheon. During this event, families who own a Century Farm are invited to come enjoy a meal together, experience a private tour of the fairgrounds and exhibits, and hear updates from those in the agriculture industry.
The people who attend this event are heroes in my book. Their ancestors worked, sacrificed, and took risks to purchase a farm and these individuals are still holding onto it, despite land being more valuable than it has ever been.
For those unfamiliar with a Century Farm, it is a farm that has been certified as being owned by the same family for at least 100 years. The Tennessee Century Farms Program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as part of our nation’s bicentennial celebration and is currently managed by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University. According to the TN Century Farm website at www.tncenturyfarms.org, the primary focus of the program is to continue honoring and recognizing the dedication and contributions of families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. Since its inception, the statewide and ongoing program has more than 2,100 certified farms, which includes a number of Pioneer Century Farms which are farms founded in or prior to the year 1796, the year Tennessee became a state.
Smith County holds the distinction of having the 3rd most certified Century Farms in the state of TN, with 68. That puts us narrowly behind Greene County and quite a few behind Wilson County. Here’s the thing… I know we have more farms in Smith County that qualify, it’s just a matter of doing the paperwork! With that said, if you have a farm that could qualify as a Century Farm, I want you to come see me and let’s work on getting you the recognition you deserve.
Four requirements must be met for your farm to be considered a Century Farm.
1. The land under consideration must be 10 acres or more of the original farm.
2. The farm must produce at least $1000 in revenue annually and specifically during the past 12 months (through documentation does not have to be submitted).
3. You must be able to prove that this farm has been continuously owned by members of the same family for at least 100 years. The line of ownership from the first family member(s), that person or person you consider the founder(s), may be through spouses, children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, or adopted children. You must prove the founding date.
4. One owner must be a Tennessee resident.
There is no cost to participate in the program, and those who complete the certification process will be given a Century Farm sign to display at their farm. Signs are provided by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and funded through the Ag-Tag program. Deeds, wills, census records, even information in family bibles can be used as proof when tracing ownership of the farm from when it was founded until now.
To learn more about the program, get answers to frequently asked questions, and download the application, visit www.tncenturyfarms.org. You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tncenturyfarms to see write-ups and pictures of Century Farms across Tennessee. If you have a farm that would qualify, give me a call at the University of Tennessee Extension office at 615-735-2900 and let’s get started on your application!
