By TESA NAUMAN Tennessee Correspondent BURNS, Tenn. — Sid Turner probably never thought he’d meet the governor of Tennessee, especially while dressed in 18th century costume; however, that’s exactly what happened Oct. 10 to the Hawkins County man.
Turner and his wife, Sandy, were two of many Tennessee farm owners honored at a luncheon that recognized the state’s oldest farms, some of which were established before Tennessee became a state.
Tennessee’s Pioneer Century Farms luncheon was held during the Oct. 9-10 Tennessee Farmland Legacy conference at Montgomery Bell State Park Inn and Conference Center, near Nashville. Pioneer farms are part of the Tennessee Century Farms Program administered by the Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation (CHP) and supported by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).
The CHP was started in 1975 by the TDA in honor of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. The program identifies, documents and recognizes farms owned by the same family for at least 100 years. To date, there are more than 1,200 certified Century Farms in Tennessee.
“I believe that our rural lands and farms are the watershed of Tennessee. We have these farms that have been here longer than Tennessee has; I think it’s important to honor them,” Bredesen said to a small group of reporters, after handing out certificates to the honored farmers.
“It’s a nice way to honor such an important part of Tennessee.” He pointed out people may lose touch with the land when they live in cities. He said that’s why it’s important for the state to help preserve and protect farmland in Tennessee.
“I think anything we can do to make sure the rural parts of our state are not only preserved but are prosperous (is important) so families that want to live there, can. It helps to make that connection for people, even if they live in Nashville or Memphis, to the land we have in our state,” the governor said.
Bredesen pointed out that farming is a major economic force in Tennessee, and these days it can be more than just growing crops on the farm.
“One of the things (the state) is trying to do is to expand its reach a little so that it’s not only about the production of goods, but we’re also trying to get agribusiness going, for example,” he said. While addressing attendees at the luncheon, Bredesen said it’s important for Tennessee to preserve not just farmland but working farms.
“When we talk about the health of farms and their role in the economy, it’s important to acknowledge the changing face of agriculture,” he said. “Preserving land is one thing, and it’s an important thing ... but we have got to keep our farms healthy and growing if they’re going to be worth anything.”
Turner was thrilled to be among the honorees at the event. He and Sandy were dressed in 18th century period costumes that she made from an authentic pattern from the era. Their land, Valley Breeze Farm in Hawkins County, originally had 900 acres. Turner bought 160 acres of the farm from a relative and raises beef cattle there. He said farmers were having a tough time economically, before the current economic situation hit Wall Street.
“When the cost of your fertilizer is more than half of your expected gross income, you’ve got a problem, because that doesn’t buy the baling twine, or the diesel or pay the taxes,” he said, adding that he’s mulling a return to organic farming.
“We’re (considering) going back to farming the way I was raised on the farm. We didn’t buy any fertilizer except for our tobacco crop,” Turner explained. “I’m hoping this will have less of an impact than had I stayed with traditional beef farming.”
The conference brought together a diverse group of stakeholders for presentations on farm estate planning, property taxes and conservation easements for landowners and planning techniques that protect farmland while not hindering economic growth for community leaders. Presenters explained how communities and farmers may benefit from working together.
Ironically, the Turners don’t know the future of their farm. Their children moved away. One son may move back to Tennessee to take care of the farm, or perhaps a grandchild will show interest and want to take it over when they are gone, Turner said. He acknowledged that farmers are a breed apart from the average person.
“Yes, we’ve got a terminal illness,” he joked. “We’re afflicted, that’s for sure. It may be a disease, but I’m glad I caught it.”
The conference was hosted by the TDA, Tennessee Department of Tourism, The Lyndhurst Foundation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Land Trust for Tennessee, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, USDA Rural Development, the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture, the CHP and Cumberland Region Tomorrow. |