[327] WEAKLEY COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM

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

WEAKLEY COUNTY FARM JOINS STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM
101-Year-Old Oliver Brothers Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO, Tenn.)—The Oliver Brothers Farm in Weakley 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 on the MTSU campus.
Located just south of the Ore Springs community, the Oliver Brothers Farm was founded in 1908 by Albert “A. B.” Oliver. For the sum of $861, Oliver purchased 80 acres and moved into a log house on the property, where he managed a diverse livestock and row-crop operation that included cattle, horses, hogs, corn, hay and timber production.
A progressive farmer, A. B. owned and used an unusual tool in his Fairbanks & Morse farm scales, which were about 10’ x 20’ and were “used to weigh livestock and wagon loads of corn to help determine the optimal time to market the commodities.” The scales remained on the farm until they were sold sometime in the 1950s.
In 1939, A. B.’s nephew, Luther “L. B.,” and his wife, Isabell Watts Oliver, became the second generation to own the farm. During their ownership, L. B. and Isabell constructed a four-room house in front of the original home so they could care for A. B., who died shortly afterward in 1940. Even though the two houses were detached, they were close enough that a person could step from one porch to the other.
L. B. and Isabell had two sons and a daughter, Thomas “T. J.” Jefferson, J. Jeter and Raye. After serving in World War II, Jeter lived on the land and took over much of the daily management of the farm, especially after L. B. died in 1962. Over the years, he continued to raise hogs, cattle, horses, hay and pasture. During the 1950s, Jeter made improvements to the farm by building a large stock barn from timber cut on the farm—a structure that is still used today. He also “built a garage that included a loft, an equipment storage room and a smokehouse.”
In addition, he modernized the farmhouse with a brick exterior and indoor plumbing. Then, in 1964, Jeter married Ruby Hudgens and they moved away from the farm, though he continued to work the land. Jeter served on the Weakley County Election Commission from 1965 to 1991.
The farm was deeded by Jeter Oliver in 1994 to his four nephews. The Oliver brothers—Terry J., John R., David F. and James “Paul”--are the great-great-nephews of the founder. The farm is used primarily for livestock production today.
The Oliver family has a tradition of civic activity and political involvement. Thomas Jefferson Oliver worked for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture as a livestock inspector and was active in local politics as well as the successful campaigns of Govs. Frank Clement and Buford Ellington.

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Jeter Oliver was co-chairman of the Weakley County Campaign for the election of Gov. Ellington to both of his terms. Like their father. T. J. , and their Uncle Jeter before them, Terry, David and the late James “Paul” served on the Weakley County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
Also, John R. Oliver was on the Weakley County Commission. Terry Oliver is the deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a role he also held for eight years during the administration of Gov. Ned Ray McWherter. Further, he was a representative to the 1977 Limited Constitutional Convention.
Hankins said the Oliver Brothers Farm is the 23rd Century Farm to be certified in Weakley 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.

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 or secure a jpeg of the farm for editorial use, please contact Caneta Hankins at 615-898-2947.