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.

Four generations of the Cates family at The Land Trust for Tennessee’s 2024 Annual Celebration in Maury County. From left standing: David Cates, Mary Cates, Ashley Cates, Natalie Cates, Benjamin Cates; seated: Steve Cates.
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.
- This photograph was taken at the old Porterfield School in 1964 on the occasion of I.E. Ready’s 82nd birthday. Left to right, seated: Mary Dee Ready Cates, I.E. Ready, Juana Loggins Cates (wife of Ben Cates); standing: J. V. Cates (husband of Mary Dee), Steve Cates, Ben Cates.
- Beulah Florence Ready Northcutt, and the oldest of their siblings, Nannie Ready. Nannie lived to be about 18 and died, never married. This is the only known picture of her.
- Ready Bible, Toys of Irvin Ernest Ready, a picture of the pre-Civil War log cabin, A framed picture at the top of the Readys and the Northcutts, Gold framed picture, upper right – I.E. Ready and his school mates at Porterfield School, etc.
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.
- Aerial view of the Alexander-Ready-Cates farm in the Porterfield Community of Cannon Co.
- Century Farm designation sign at the Alexander-Ready-Cates farm in the Porterfield Community of Cannon Co.
- Structure built to order for Nancy Elizabeth (Lizzie ) Ready as her brooder house about 1940. She made her own money selling eggs and liked the way this house allowed her to have several settings of chicks throughout the season, each with its own section of the house.
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.”
- David Cates and Mary Cates ride around the Cripple Creek farm.
- David Cates and Mary Cates walk around the Cripple Creek farm.
- David Cates and Mary Cates walk around the Cripple Creek farm.
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.”
- Views at the Porterfield Farm.
- Steve Cates at the McGill-Becton-Cates Farm in the Cripple Creek Community of Rutherford Co.
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.