 Farm and Forestland Conserved Forever in Giles County: The McCormack and The Cribbs Families Conserve Their Working Farms Zollie and Jenette McCormack couldn’t imagine their 1300 acres of Giles County farmland, their livelihood for the last 32 years, being anything but what it is today—a highly productive, working farm where the buzz of the combine lives in harmony with the singing birds. And harmony and peace is just what you feel the moment you round the bend into the farm. In the spring and summer, wheat, corn and soybeans cover the rich soils that are fed by the Elk River as it winds through the land for over 4 miles. The Elk River and Richland Creek, both home to many endangered species, meet on the property before the Elk River flows into Alabama and then into the Tennessee River. If you are lucky enough the float the Elk River on a hot summer day, you can’t miss this beautiful farm as the Elk River bends around the land. Of course, you can always catch a glimpse as you drive on Interstate 65 near mile marker 2.
Just across I-65 from the McCormack’s farm, John and Mary Cribbs feel the same way about their land. John and Mary bought these 218 acres in 1990 because they were immediately drawn to its beauty and historic nature. The property contains a historic home, built circa 1900, that was in horrible disrepair when the Cribbs purchased the land. The realtor was shocked when the Cribbs told him that they would not be tearing it down but instead planned to restore it. And that is exactly what they have done. With great care and commitment to the historic qualities of the home, John and Mary have spent the last 18 years bringing the home back to life. The land is historic as well containing an old family cemetery with over 35 headstones and a one-lane wagon road known locally as Old Union Hill Road which leads into “Spook Holler” where a perpetual spring still runs today.
It is with the same care that the Cribbs restored the home that they also worked through their conservation goals with The Land Trust for Tennessee staff. The conservation agreement will protect the land in perpetuity and puts restrictions in place that conserve the feature that the Cribbs love the most—the mature hardwood forest. The land contains about 45 acres of working farmland but the remainder of the land is covered in hardwood forest that stretches deep into coves containing tributaries of the Elk River. The land contains several rare Butternut trees that are found in a grove just below a 20-foot waterfall on Sinking Creek. The conservation easement will make sure that these trees, and all of the other incredible features of the land, stay conserved in perpetuity. "We wished to protect our farm from encroaching urban development and to maintain the natural status of its woodlands”, said John Cribbs. “The Land Trust for Tennessee provided us with a means of doing that in perpetuity. The Land Trust folks were helpful and provided guidance throughout the process."
Zollie and Jenette wanted Bend of the River Farm to stay just the way it is today and the permanent conservation agreement helped them accomplish their goals for the land. The farm will stay in active agricultural production and the McCormacks can build one additional residence and one hunting cabin. Zollie is hopeful that one of his 3 sons Bartt, also a full-time farmer, will move back to land to make his own livelihood on this fertile ground. Emily Parish, Land Protection Manager, became so close with Zollie and Jenette that she feels like part of the family: “I am amazed by the beauty of the land every time I visit but my favorite part is visiting with the McCormacks. We became instant friends and decided at the closing of their conservation easement that I will be their newest granddaughter! I feel honored and privileged to know such wonderful people.”
With the addition of these two incredible properties, The Land Trust for Tennessee has now partnered with 6 generous families to protect over 3,400 acres of farm and forestland throughout Giles County.
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