A few weeks back, I was invited to speak at the Wilson County Fair Century Farm Luncheon. It was a grand day for a visit to one of Tennessee’s top county fairs and a chance to celebrate the Century Farm Program.
Government-related guests at the event brought to mind an old story about my Uncle Sid’s visit with a government man out on his farm.
The young man drove up in front of his farm house in a white, federally owned car. Uncle Sid was sitting on the front porch, enjoying a break from working in the garden.
The old man had seen the car earlier, down at the country store, and had heard that the government man was asking a lot of questions.
Uncle Sid was a bit concerned why the government had sent someone to his house. His grandparents had taught him to be cautious of the government. They had gone through the Civil War, and Uncle Sid figured they knew what they were talking about when it came to trust in Washington.
The young fellow in a white, short-sleeve shirt and necktie walked up the old man’s sidewalk with a pad and pencil in his hand.
Uncle Sid does not trust anyone other than a preacher (and not too many of them) who wears a tie in August and comes out on the farm with a pencil and paper in hand.
As the man stepped up on the steps, Uncle Sid asked him, “What are you selling, young feller?”
“I’m not selling anything, sir,” the young man replied politely. “I’m the census taker.”
No one had approached Uncle Sid like that before. He didn’t even know what a census was, let alone someone who came to your house and took it from you.
Uncle Sid swallowed a bit and asked, “A what?”
Smiling, the young man said, “A census taker. We are trying to find out how many people are in the United States.”
His statement caused Uncle Sid to lean back in his old, front porch rocker and take his well-worn cap off his balding head. He took out his red bandana, wiped his brow and said, “Well, young feller, I guess you’re just wasting your time with me, because I have no idea, but if you find out I sure would like to know.”
Fortunately, candidates who want their properties to be selected as Century Farms are more forthcoming with their information than Uncle Sid would have been.
To be selected as a Century Farm, a farm owner has to answer several questions and fill out an application. Eligible farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years, produce $1,000 in revenue annually and have at least 10 acres.
Tennessee currently has 1,487 Century Farms, many of which have existed for more than 200 years.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the program in 1976. Since 1984, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University has documented Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the program under the direction of Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West.
For the next two years, the program is going under some changes with a major upgrade of its website. Currently, there is a cost-effective replacement for listing farms on a newly created “Tennessee Century Farms Program” page on Facebook. Just ‘like” the page and join in for information on Century Farms in our state.
To propose a Century Farm candidate or ask for more information, call (615) 898-2947. We promise a government man will not come out and ask you any questions.
Pettus L. Read writes for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. Contact him via email to pettusr60@gmail.com.
