Monroe County

Color Wheel Farm owners, Brad & Kim Black along with Brad’s sister Jennifer, are celebrating their decision to preserve the family’s 191 year old 'Tennesseee Century Farm’ with an FLC conservation easement agreement.  410 acres of agricultural farmland will now be preserved as a working farm, free from commercial development, both now and for future generations. Roughly 340 acres are currently being used for cattle, row crops and switchgrass with 70 acres remaining in woodlands. The trees are a mix of hardwoods and mixed pine-hardwood forest. The property includes pastures, creeks and streams which supports diverse habitat and wildlife, including game animals such as deer, turkey, squirrel, wild boar, raccoon, and occasionally black bears. Image below, (left to right): Bill Clabough, FLC Executive Director, Jennifer Black, and Brad & Kim Black.

Color Wheel Farm’s Switchgrass Project

Brad Black Named 2010 Tennessee Farmer of the Year

‘Earl Black Farm’ – Tennessee Century Farm

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Another family in Monroe County is happy to report the preservation of their 195 acre property. The farm dates back over 180 years (in the image on the right, June is holding the original deed dating back to 1824). The land includes old growth timber with farming operations focused on cattle and hay. Read more about the history of their farm here: 
J&J Ranch - Tennessee Century Farm

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Incredible views, wildlife habitat, old growth trees, two springs and three creeks - are just a few of the amazing conservation values to the Bayne's 56 acre property in Monroe County. Views include the mountains of Unicoi, Cherokee National Forest and the Smokies. Roughly half the acreage is wooded and the other half is open space/fields. Image above (left to right) - FLC Ex. Dir. Bill Clabough, Pauline & Chuck Bayne, and FLC Land Director Meredith Clebsch.

Knox County

Situated along the French Broad River, these 60 acres of warm season grasses and open spaces allow for a diverse wildlife habitat. A variety of bird houses are situated among the property along with a fresh water pond. Visitors also include ducks, river otter, deer, and turkey. Audrine, who grew up on a farm in Roswell, GA, has worked over the years to create natural secession plots and stabilize the banks along the riverfront.

Union County

The Cann property includes 112 acres of woodlands that border TVA's buffer area along Norris Lake. The mixed forest, variety of slopes, pond, creek, spring and old fields found on the property collectively support habitat for a diversity of wildlife. The large areas of public land in the immediate vicinity help further support healthy populations of many game and non-game species, making the Cann property an important component in the viability of wildlife corridors between these protected lands.

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Pledge today and assist Foothills with the continued expansion of preserved lands throughout our region. FLC is a 501(c)(3) and does not receive any financial assistance from local, state or federal governments. We rely on individual and corporate contributions to sustain our organizational, land acquisition and stewardship funds. Click here to print and mail a donation form or click here to donate online.