TN SJR0873

Recognizes Beene Farms in Chester County's Montezuma community as a Tennessee Century Farm for continuous family ownership since 1898

The farm was originally established as a 65-acre operation by John and Ena Smithson, who moved from Illinois and raised corn, cotton, cows, pigs, and horses

The Century Farms program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to honor families maintaining farm ownership for over 100 years

Currently owned and operated by Anthony Beene (great-grandson of founders) along with family members Sammy Beene, Alex Beene, and Jacob Beene, producing soybeans and cotton

The Smithson/Beene family contributed to community development by helping establish the area's first Methodist church and first local store