[392] STATEWIDE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES GREENE COUNTY FARM FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

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

STATEWIDE PROGRAM RECOGNIZES GREENE COUNTY FARM FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Kenneth Rhea Family Farm Becomes County’s 48th Designated Century Farm

(MURFREESBORO, Tenn.)—The Kenneth Rhea Family Farm in Greene 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.
Just 100 years ago, in March 1909, a farm of 109 acres was established northeast of Greeneville, along Sinking Creek, by Frank and Martha Rhea. With their six children, the Rheas grew corn, small grains, tobacco, hay and pasture. In addition, they raised beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, mules and sheep, and accord to the family’s reports, it was a milestone for the family when they purchased their first tractor in 1925.
The second-generation owners were Kenneth D. Rhea and wife Bertram, who acquired the farm in 1955. During the 50 years of their ownership, Kenneth and Bertram purchased adjacent land, increasing the overall acreage to 136 acres. Various crops and livestock continued to be produced with the important addition of registered Jersey dairy cattle and Angus beef cattle.
Following her husband’s death in 2005, Bertram Rhea continued her ownership of the farm, along with their sons and co-owners, Roger and Kenneth *Caroll Rhea. Today, the family raises hay, pasture and Angus cattle.
Hankins said the Kenneth Rhea Family Farm is the 48th Century Farm to be certified in Greene County.
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 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 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.
“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 interview the farm’s owners or request a jpeg of the farm, please contact the CHP directly at 615-898-2947.
Note: Kenneth *Caroll Rhea is the correct name spelling (not Carroll).