[470] Jackson County Farm Joins Ranks of State's Century Farms Program

For Release: May 20, 2011
Contact: CANETA HANKINS, CENTER FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, 615-898-2947


JACKSON COUNTY FARM JOINS RANKS OF STATE’S CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM

Morgan Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

(MURFREESBORO)— The Morgan Farm, located in Jackson County, has been designated as a Tennessee Century Farm, reports Caneta S. Hankins, director of the Century Farms Program at the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU.
The Century Farms Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have owned and kept family land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years. The 130 year old farm is the ninth Century Farm to be certified in Jackson County.
In 1881, J.W. and Louisa Morgan purchased 300 acres of land near the Roaring River in Jackson County. Paying just less than five dollars an acre, the couple began raising cattle, corn, hay, mules and horses. The Morgans were the parents of 10 children.
In 1936, five of the children acquired the farm. The daughters who became owners were Eliza Morgan Berry who married G.E. Berry, Eula Morgan Lynn who married Hop Lynn, Amanda Morgan Johnson who married Henry Johnson and Ruth Morgan Reeves. Their brother Perry Morgan acquired 100 acres and continued to work the rest of the 300 acres. He and his wife, Sophrona, were the parents of 13 children.
In 1963, seven great-grandsons of the founding couple acquired 100 acres of the original Morgan Farm. James, Austin, Cecil, Billie, Donald, Robert and Clay Morgan grew cattle, hogs, corn, hay and tobacco. In 1964, James, Austin and Robert Morgan became the owners.
In 2002, two great-great grandsons of the founders, who are sons of Robert Morgan and his wife Virginia, and their spouses acquired an interest in the farm. Jeffrey and Gail Morgan and Tim and Sandy Morgan, along with Robert, own the 100 acre farm. Jeff manages and works the farm, where he raises hay and cattle.
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 Farms Program.

For more information about the Century Farms Program, please visit www.tncenturyfarms.org. The Center for Historic Preservation also may be contacted at Box 80, MTSU, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 37132 or 615-898-2947.

• ATTENTION, MEDIA: To interview the farm’s owner or request jpegs of the farm for editorial use, please contact the CHP at 615-898-2947.


Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution located in Murfreesboro and is the state’s largest public undergraduate institution. In September 2011, MTSU will celebrate its 100th year anniversary with special events and activities throughout the year—kicked off by a Blue-Tie Centennial Gala on Friday, Sept. 9.