445 LEWIS COUNTY FARM JOIN RANKS OF STATE’S CENTURY FARMS

100-Year-Old Sisco-Loveless Farm Recognized for Ag. Contributions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2006
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, 615-898-2947

(MURFREESBORO)—The Sisco-Loveless Farm in Lewis County recently was designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms program at the Center for Historic Preservation (CHP), which is located on the campus of MTSU.
In 1906, Andrew Jackson “A. J.” Sisco established the Sisco-Loveless Farm near the mouth of Indian Creek and Big Swan Creek. The 92 ½ acres supported a variety of livestock and crops including peanuts, wheat, corn, hay, hogs, cattle, horses, cotton and mules. In addition to managing the farm, A. J. ran a country store and a sawmill. He married Martha J. Whiteside Sisco; the couple had six children.
A. J. and Martha’s youngest child, Allie Sisco Loveless, became the next owner of the farm. Married to Comer Loveless, they cultivated corn, hay and soybeans and raised cattle, chickens, goats and horses. Also active in the community, the Loveless farm served as host for an annual fish fry on July 4th and Christmas party for the community for a number of years, according to the family. Her son describes his mother as a “Christian lady who always fed many people,” including preachers who were holding gospel meetings.
Today, L.C. Loveless owns the land, along with wife Bonnie R. Loveless and his mother Allie. The farm now raises corn, wheat, soybeans, hay, horses, cattle and hogs. The family lives in farm house built in 1910. A barn constructed in 1906 still stands on this farm that will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
Hankins said the Sisco-Loveless Farm is the fifth farm in Lewis County to be certified as a Tennessee Century farm.

About the Tennessee Century Farm Program

The Tennessee Century Farm Program, now 30 years old, recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documenting Tennessee’s agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a