Agriculture - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Century Farms Act" for the purpose of recognizing the historical significance of family farms that have been in continuous operation in this state for over 100 years and to, the official text

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                        $tate of \lrennessee

                         PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 200

                                                  HOUSE BILL NO. 901

By Representatives Todd, Lamberth, Grills, Vital, Slater, Doggett, Reedy, Fritts, Stinnett,
Eldridge, Reeves, Barrett, Sherrell, Russell, Crawford, Burkhart, Littleton, McCalmon,
Alexander, Boyd, Brock Martin, Marsh, Warner, Hawk, Cochran, Lynn, Garrett, Cepicky,
Love

                                        Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 874

                            By Senators Reeves, Southerland, Walley, Hensley

          AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43, relative to century farms.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43, Chapter 25, is amended by adding
the following new section:

                    (a) This act is known and may be cited as the "Tennessee Century Farms Act."

                    (b) It is the intent of the general assembly to recognize the historical significance
          of family farms that have been in operation in this state for over one hundred (100) years
          and to highlight their contribution to agriculture in and the economy of this state.

                    (c) As used in this section:

                               (1) "Century farm" means a farm that:

                                         (A) Is composed of ten (10) or more acres of the original farm
                               owned by a founder of the farm;

                                         (8) Produces at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) in annual
                               revenue;

                                         (C) Has remained in the founder's family continuously for at least
                               one hundred (100) years; and

                                         (D) Is owned in whole or in part by at least one (1) resident of this
                               state; and

                               (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of
                     agriculture.

                     (d) The commissioner shall establish a century farms program to recognize
           century farms in continuous operation for more than one hundred (100) years in this
           state for purposes of promoting awareness of century farms and the interests of
           agriculture in this state.

                     (e) The commissioner shall:

                               (1) Operate the program within the existing resources of the department
                     of agriculture;

                               (2) Establish the criteria for qualification as a century farm under the
                     program;

                                (3) Designate a qualified historic preservation center to administer the
                     program; and
HB901
                              (4) Design and provide a specialty commemorative sign in recognition of

                    a century farm to be provided to the owner of the farm at no cost to the owner.
                    Commemorative signs may also be designed and provided to owners of century
                    farms to recognize each additional fifty (50) years that a farm remains in
                    continuous operation and qualifies for participation in the program. Additional
                    signs may be purchased by a qualified owner at a cost specified by the
                    commissioner. The commissioner may collaborate with the Tennessee historical
                    commission and the historic preservation center administering the program for
                    purposes of designing signs in accordance with this subdivision (e)(4).
                    (f) In administering the program, the historic preservation center designated
          pursuant to subdivision (e)(3) shall:

                              (1) Maintain a database of century farms and serve as a clearing house
                    with respect to information on century farms and the program;

                              (2) Collaborate with the department of agriculture and the Tennessee
                    historical commission for purposes of administering the program; and

                              (3) Educate the public and promote awareness with respect to
                    Tennessee's historic century farms in this state as well as their contribution to
                    agriculture in this state.
          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

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         HOUSE BILL NO. 901

PASSED:  March 31, 2025

                         CAMERO~XTON,SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                         ~ ,.A_. 'N....lsl«,\.~

                            '  RANDYM<;J
                               SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

Jfl: Ap:/ APPROVED this  I     2025
         day of

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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR