[325] McMINN COUNTY FARM JOINS RANKS OF STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 25, 2009
CONTACT: Caneta Hankins, 615-898-2947

McMINN COUNTY FARM JOINS RANKS OF STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
Robert and Nettie Page Simpson Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO, Tenn.)—The Robinson Farm in Dyer County has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reported Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms Program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located at MTSU.
Just south of Dyer is the Robinson Farm that was founded by W. L. Holt in 1894. Married to Martha Holt, the couple had two children, W. L. Jr. and J. A. On 81 acres, the family raised cotton, strawberries, corn, cattle, grass seed and horses.
In 1905, the founder’s sons, W. L. Holt Jr. and J.A. Holt, whose wife was Fannie, became the owners of the farm. Family history records indicate that in 1926, the house that Fannie and J. A. lived in was moved to the new U.S. 45 W Highway. The house was moved by mules and “tied down to trees to keep it from running down the hill.”
Following the move, the house was remodeled and was home to the family, which included W. C., who was known as “Carl,” and Louise and Holland. The Civilian Conservation Corps “did terracing work on the farm and planted trees” during the 1930s.
The third generation owners were Louise Holt Smith Walker and Carl Holt. Louise had two children, John Holt Smith and Linda Smith. Carl and wife Sadie (McKinnon) had two children, Patty Holt Robinson and Betty Holt Redmond.
In addition to his farming duties, Carl taught in the Gibson County School system. He also served as soil conservationist with the Gibson County Soil Conservation District in 1941, as an elected magistrate from the 21st district for 18 years and was Gibson County Highway Engineer from 1965 to 1971. Sadie, also a teacher in the Gibson County School system, taught for 25 years. Both Sadie and Carl were active members in the First Baptist Church in Dyer.
In 1976, Patty Holt Robinson and husband Charles acquired the farm that they now work and manage, raising corn, wheat, soybeans, timber and hay.
In addition, the couple has a two- acre English garden on the farm that was inspired by their visit to England in 1986. The garden has many perennials including phlox, daylilies, daisies and roses. Charles, who owns and operates Trenton Industrial Laundry, has built trellises, arbors, pergolas and running streams through the garden.
Hankins said the Robinson Farm is the 26th Century Farm to be certified in Gibson County.
About the Century Farms Program

The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP 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.
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The Tennessee Department of Agriculture began the Tennessee Century Farm Program in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Today, the TDA provides a metal outdoor sign, noting either 100, 150 or 200 years of “continuous agricultural production” to Century Farm families.
To be considered for eligibility, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must produce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee. There are more than 1,000 Century Farms across the state and all 95 counties are represented.
“The Century Farmers represent all the farm families of Tennessee,” Hankins said, “and their contributions to the economy, and to the social, cultural and agrarian vitality of the state, both past and present, is immeasurable. Each farm is a Tennessee treasure.”
For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit its Web site at http://histpres.mtsu.edu/histpres. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted via mail at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132, or by telephone at 615-898-2947.


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ATTENTION, MEDIA: To request an interview with the farm’s current owners, please contact Caneta Hankins at 615-898-2947.