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Porter Farm Protects 108 Acres
The Porters’ property is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Duck River and Poplar Creek. Over the past years, they have been working to establish a “conservation demo farm,” where opportunities for traditional agriculture, wildlife management, recreation, and natural resource conservation can all exist side by side. John remembers with nostalgia the time he spent camping and fishing on the river with his sons, and wanted to treat the land with care to help preserve that legacy.
This concern led them to donate a permanent conservation easement on their farm to the Land Trust for Tennessee. The conservation easement will allow the Porters to retain ownership of the land, while legally restricting any development or subdivision of the property in the future. As John explains, “The Land Trust for Tennessee does good work, and this is a good way to support that work in our community.” He believes that protecting the land with a conservation easement is an example of how “individuals can make a difference -and be good stewards of the bounty the Lord has bestowed upon us.” Anyone visiting the John Porter farm can see what a good steward of nature he has been. Now, with the conservation easement, future owners of the land can follow in his footsteps. |
Williamsport, TN: When you enter the Porters’ 108- acre farm off of Jimmy Gray Robinson Rd., you might notice that things look a little different: the land is greener, humming with life. Amid the river bottom reserved for row crops, you will see the carefully tended orchard, the impressive stands of native grasses, thriving second-growth forest, and reclaimed wetland habitat for ducks and other waterfowl.
However, growth in Spring Hill, Columbia, and Williamson County has recently brought increased commercial and residential development pressure into Maury County. John and Gerrie knew they would need to take additional measures to protect the natural beauty of the land for their sons, Cheairs and Edward, as well as future generations to come.
