Tennessee Century Farms Information

The Tennessee Century Farms Program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The program was designed and continues to be a recognition and documentary effort. Farms are honored as Century Farms if they have been in the same family and in continuous operation for at least 100 years. The Tennessee Century Farms Program has honored a farm in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties. 

Special Distinctions for Century Farms: - Pioneer Farms (founded before 1796)

                                                                     - Farms founded by African-Americans

                                                                     - Farms founded by Women 

                                                                     - Farms listed in the National Register of Historic Places

Requirements: - Ten (10) acres or more of the original farm must be owned by the founder’s family.

                          - Must produce at least $1,000 in revenue annually.

                          - Has been in the same family CONTINUOUSLY for at least 100 years.

                          - If farm has multiple owners, one owner must be a Tennessee resident.

Ways to prove the farm’s ownership: - Deeds

                                                                - Burial date of founder.

                                                                - Any information found in family Bible.

Benefits of Century Farm Program: 

This program is strictly an honorary program. There are no restrictions or legal protections placed on a listed farm. Listing your farm in the Century Farms program does not make your farm eligible for any State or Federally funded grants. Your farm will be listed forever as long as it remains within the same family and remains operational. 

The Process: 

The Tennessee Century Farms Program has a simple process. Carver Moore of Moore Historical Consulting will come to your farm, sit down with you and fill out the application form. This application form will ask for information such as:

• Name of the founder.
• Date farm was founded.
• Crops/livestock grown/raised by the founder.
• Who owns/works the farm today?
• What crops/livestock grown/raised today?

The application will also ask for any significant historical events associated with the farm, as well as information about any significant buildings on the farm. Current and historic photographs of the farm are not required, but helpful in the nomination process. 

Why hire Moore Historical Consulting to do the job?

Moore Historical Consulting’s Moore Historical Consulting's Carver Gribble Moore is a man with three last names and is deeply rooted in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. This fact alone led him to start Moore Historical Consulting as a way to give back to the area that has made him. He firmly believes that our historic sites deserve to be preserved for the next generation through the National Register of Historic Places. Through the Tennessee Century Farms program farming families can be recognized for their agricultural heritage. Historic Preservation is and continues to be the main priority at Moore Historical Consulting. At Moore Historical Consulting discovering and preserving your past is fun and easy!!

Rates for Tennessee Century Farms Nominations:

Rates for Tennessee Century Farms Nominations start at $25/hour. The size of the farm, and ease or difficulty of finding founding dates determines the final hourly quota. A quote normally given to a client by Moore Historical Consulting is primarily five (5) hours. 

Contact Info:

If you are the owner of a farm that might be eligible for the Tennessee Century Farms Program, Carver Moore of Moore Historical Consulting can be reached at:

moorehistoricalconsulting@gmail.com