In Blount County, Tennessee you might come across a 215-acre farm. Half of the farm is forested, on steeper slopes and level uplands; the other half is pasture for livestock, with gently rolling hills and a creek that cattle can access, in addition to springs on the southern, very steep portion of the property. They supply water to one of only two residences on the acreage.

The woodlands are largely mature hardwoods and have a diverse native shrub and herb layer. The combination of mature woodland, pastures, and the edges between creates good habitat, generous cover, nesting, and food for many types of wildlife and birds. From higher points, there are clear views of the valley, mountains, and the residential areas in Townsend that are blissfully farther away.

This is Laverne Farmer’s property, where she was born and raised. It adjoins Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has been in her family since 1824 (over five generations!), making it a Tennessee Century Farm.

People can view the farm from U.S. Highway 321, which might be how FLC’s Executive Director Bill Clabough first came to know of it during his service in the Tennessee State Senate. “The road in Townsend was being expanded to four lanes, and the Farmers weren’t going to get a very good entrance to their property. My aunt worked with Laverne, she told me about the problem, and I was able to help get the Farmers a better deal. I didn’t know the family, but years later, Laverne told me this story when we started talking about her easement. It’s a small world sometimes, especially in east Tennessee.”

“Laverne is the kindest woman. She loves dogs, and her favorite was named Annie. Her family provided the property for their church’s cemetery, where she played the organ for years,” Bill recalls.

Laverne had the vision and foresight to place a conservation easement on the property in 2007 and will also donate it to FLC upon her passing. This property will be available for agriculture, forest management and private recreational use but it will never be partitioned, subdivided or developed. Allowing this property to remain in its current, largely pastoral condition will partially protect the view shed for many miles. For those who might one day live on or visit the farm, the promise of the views is something worth waiting for – and worth protecting.