[005] Rhea County Farm Joins Ranks of State's Century Farms Program

For Release: July 13, 2011
Contact: Caneta Hankins, Center for Historic Preservation, 615-898-2947


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

Galloway Farm Recognized for Agricultural Contributions

MURFREESBORO— The Galloway Farm, located in Rhea 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.
Rhea County, founded in 1807, now has five certified Century Farms. The newest addition to the list was founded in 1899 by Isaac Morris, who purchased 40 acres of land northwest of Spring City for $40. He married Eliza Garrison, and they were the parents of seven children. The family raised vegetables and dairy cattle.
In 1925, Isaac Morris sold 88 acres to Mark Reed, his second cousin. Mark, and his wife, Bessie (who also was related to Isaac Morris) raised mules and hay, and also owned and operated a sawmill. Mark and Bessie were the parents of four children.
In 1958, Allen Galloway, a grandson of Isaac Morris, acquired 47 acres of the farm on which he raised beef cattle and feeder pigs. Allen was also a successful beekeeper, having as many as 25 hives at one time. Allen Galloway and his wife, Arkie Morris Galloway, were the parents of eight children. Their son, James A. Galloway, acquired the land in 2008. James and his wife, Bonnie, live on the farm, where they raise beef cattle and hay.
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.