Stouffer Family – West Tennessee
“My wife Lea and I have always loved being outside,” says Barry Stouffer.
It was this passion for the outdoors that inspired them to acquire several hundred acres in Henry County. With dense forests, vast open spaces, and a dozen ponds, their land is a recreation and habitat haven, a place that both people and wildlife can enjoy.
“Most of our days include a long walk with the dogs on the miles of trails maintained through the fields and woods. Weekends during deer and turkey hunting season typically include one or more guests, most of whom drive in from Nashville. Our guests not only appreciate the hunt and the camaraderie,” Barry says, “but also being able to ‘get away.’”
While the land provides joy and peace, it also demands hard work. Trails need constant clearing and cover crops must be planted. Hunting blinds and stands require maintenance and food plots and orchards have to be tended. But for the Stouffers, caring for their land is a pleasure, and their efforts don’t go unrewarded.
“I find great satisfaction watching deer feed in the 20+ food plots on the property,” Barry explains, “and the quality of the deer we harvest has been steadily improving.”
Given their love for the land and the many years they’ve spent caring for it, the Stouffers began to think about how they could protect their property. They didn’t want their trails, woods, and food plots to be erased in favor of development. After doing some research on their conservation options, the Stouffers made a decision.
“We chose to work with The Land Trust for Tennessee to conserve our property because we were impressed with their prior projects, their personnel, and their responsiveness. And being proud residents of the great state of Tennessee, we like The Land Trust’s in-state focus. We couldn’t be happier with our decision,” Barry affirms. “It gives us great pleasure to know that our property will always be protected from development, thereby providing the opportunity for generations to come to enjoy the land.”