Stouffer Family

Stouffer Family – West Tennessee

Part of the 25 Projects for 25 Years series.

For a landowner in West Tennessee, the journey to protecting nearly 1,550 acres of pristine land has been an unexpected adventure. After growing up in an Air Force family and moving from state to state, Barry Stouffer finally found his roots in Tennessee. We sat down with Stouffer to discuss his commitment to wildlife habitat conservation that ultimately led to working with The Land Trust for Tennessee (LTTN) to protect over 800 acres of that land.

 

“I didn’t grow up in Tennessee or farming,” he shared. “My dad was in the Air Force, so I was born in Texas and then moved around a lot—Florida, Mississippi, Wyoming, California, Pennsylvania. I came to Nashville in 1981 for Vanderbilt’s MBA program and have been here ever since.”

Stouffer’s introduction to conservation began with a passion for hunting. “I was asked to join a duck hunting club, and I really liked it,” he recalled. “In 2002, a friend from Memphis invited me to deer hunt on his property in West Tennessee. He had 196 acres. In 2006, he was thinking about selling it, and I eventually bought him out.”

His interest in conservation easements began when he bought land already under an easement with a different land trust.

“It occurred to me, why not put the rest of the land in a conservation easement as well, because it’s all contiguous. Wouldn’t that be cool if it was conserved forever, regardless of what happens to us?”

 

Eventually, he and his wife decided to work with LTTN. “We started with The Land Trust for Tennessee because I liked the local aspect, and the economics were more favorable. The valuations made sense to me and didn’t seem improper,” he shares.

For him, the decision to place the land in a conservation easement was about more than just economics. “Wildlife habitat protection is one reason to have the property in the easement. I manage the property with food plots to support deer and turkey,” he explains. “We also want to conserve the land’s natural beauty and ensure it remains undeveloped.”

Living on the farm has deepened his appreciation for Tennessee’s natural beauty. The Stouffers also lease 300 acres to a corn and soybean farming operation.

“In Tennessee, you have the change of the seasons. Spring is fantastic when things are starting to green up, and the dogwoods are amazing. In the fall, the colors are incredible. Even in winter, it’s still pretty. When you get a good snowfall, it’s really cool,” he says. “Our family and friends often say from the front porch, ‘This never gets old.'”

The Land Trust for Tennessee has played a crucial role in providing the Stouffers with peace of mind.

“Knowing that it’s going to look like this in 200 years—that’s pretty powerful stuff,” he says. “For someone like me who moved around a lot, having this place feels safe, comforting, and awesome. My wife and I often pinch ourselves and say, ‘Can you believe all this is ours?'”

Their long-term vision includes donating the property to a charity that could use it for various activities, such as Wounded Warrior hunts and programs for disadvantaged children. “Even if we don’t finalize these plans in our lifetime, knowing the land is protected in perpetuity gives us peace,” he says. “It ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy its beauty and tranquility.”

Their journey with The Land Trust for Tennessee has been an unplanned yet incredibly rewarding adventure. “Even though this was never our dream, it just happened, and it’s been fantastic,” he reflects. “It’s just rewarding and comforting to know that long after we’re gone, the property is still going to be enjoyed by somebody.”

 

Find out how you can support The Land Trust for Tennessee’s conservation work.