McGill-Becton-Cates Farm and Alexander-Ready-Cates Farm

Cates Family – Middle Tennessee

Part of the 25 Projects for 25 Years series.

At 84 years old, Steve Dixon Cates has a deep connection to the land he and his family protected through The Land Trust for Tennessee. For generations, his family has stewarded two historic properties: the McGill-Becton-Cates Farm in the Cripple Creek Community of Rutherford Co and the Alexander-Ready-Cates farm in the Porterfield Community of Cannon Co. Together, these lands hold centuries of stories, history, and a vision for the future.

Cates grew up on Cripple Creek Farm, a picturesque 117-acre property nestled along Cripple Creek, a tributary to the Stones River. According to Cates, he was the first person from Cripple Creek to be born at a hospital. He still remembers some of his parents’ happiest days—when his mother got her deep freeze and when his father got his first John Deere.

The farm’s house, built in the 1840s, still stands as a testament to its enduring history. Surrounded by forests, pastures, and historic structures, Cates’ childhood was filled with community and a love of the outdoors—playing in the creek, helping with the family dairy, and preparing registered Jersey cows for shows.

Reflecting on those years, Cates fondly recalls family gatherings for holidays and the life lessons learned through hard work on the farm. “It was just a wonderful life here on Cripple Creek,” he shared. An avid history enthusiast, he added, “There’s real history here, and it’s important—it’s part of the fabric of our lives.”

The family’s connection to the land extends beyond Cripple Creek to Porterfield Farm, a 162-acre property right over the border in Cannon County that has been in the family since the 1840s. Over the years, it has been used for raising Walking Horses, mules, and cattle, as well as cultivating corn, wheat, barley, rye, and oats.

Both properties are recognized as Tennessee Century Farms, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and marked by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities.

 

As Rutherford County has grown and developed, Cates has witnessed firsthand the challenges of balancing progress with conservation. A retired teacher of 42 years, he understands the importance of history and its role in shaping the future. That’s why he and his family decided to protect the farms through conservation easements with The Land Trust for Tennessee.

“I became concerned seeing some of the best farmland being developed,” Cates explained. “The Land Trust gave my brother, the late Ben Cates, and me a way to ensure this land is protected for generations to come.”

Cates envisions a future where his family’s farms serve as hubs for cultural tourism—places where visitors can experience the joys of rural life, from hayrides to harvesting corn. His great-great-niece Mary, just two years old, is already loving the farming lifestyle, tending to chickens, turkeys, and cows with her grandfather. “She’s growing up here and really enjoying it,” Cates said with a smile. “I think she probably always will, because it’s part of who we are.”

Cates is a passionate advocate for land conservation. He encourages others to consider protecting their own land or supporting conservation efforts. “It’s the best thing ever,” he said of protecting his land with The Land Trust for Tennessee. “I tell everyone who will listen—it’s so important to protect these places.”

Thanks to the Cates family’s vision and commitment, Cripple Creek Farm and Ready-Cates Farm will continue to endure as open space for generations.

Support The Land Trust for Tennessee’s conservation work.