Eighteen years ago, we purchased a small, rundown farm near Duck River in Centerville, Tennessee. After extensive renovation to the one hundred- and twenty-two-year-old farmhouse, we settled in and made it our family home. We like to garden and picked the perfect spot the first year.
In the early years we never thought about producing farm fresh goods for our local market. For one thing, we weren’t very productive. We struggled with the teenager who didn’t want to work or the toddler who was more than willing but didn’t have the skill to do so. To say the least it was interesting and quite comical. All of us have grown in so many ways since then and we love sharing our experience with others.
Once we got all our kids situated it wasn’t very long before we were producing more than we could eat. So, eight years ago we started taking our produce and baked goods to the local farmer’s market. We love our community and enjoy being part of their foody lives.
Our funny and fearless leaders could not be more different. Farmer Stone, who is from a long-standing farming family in the community sees things on a large scale. His other half, Momma, who only visited her grandpa’s farm, sees things on a smaller more personal level. The culmination of the two brings a well-rounded approach to the day-to-day operations on the farm, and a few lively discussions I might add. One thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment with those two around.
About the most exciting piece of machinery, we have is a tractor, a fairly old tractor. We plant much of our crop by hand which enables us to allow the children to help. They love getting their hands dirty, watching the plants grow, and harvesting the produce in baskets they carry in their hands. Three generations live on the farm and the fourth is being taught what our grandpa’s taught us. We are proud to be a part of equipping the next generation to reconnect with the earth through farming.