HB 901

This bill enacts the "Tennessee Century Farms Act, which requires the commissioner of agriculture to establish a century farms program to recognize cent ury farms in continuous operation for more than 100 years in this state for purposes of promoting awareness of century farms and the interests of agriculture in this state. The commissioner must take all of the following actions:  Operate the program within the existing resources of the department of agriculture.  Establish the criteria for qualification as a century farm under the program.  Designate a qualified historic preservation center to administer the program .  Design and provide a specialty commemorative sign in recognition of a century farm to be provided to the owner of the farm at no cost to the owner. Commemorative signs may be designed and provided to owners of century farms to recognize each add itional 50 years that a farm remains in continuous operation and qualifies for participation in the program. Additional signs may be purchased by a qualified owner at a cost specified by the commissioner. The commissioner may collaborate with the Tennessee historical commission and the historic preservation center administering the program for purposes of designing such signs. In administering the program, this bill requires the historic preservation center to (i) maintain a database of century farms and serve as a clearing house with respect to inf ormation on century farms and the program, (ii) collaborate with the department of agriculture and the Tennessee historical commission for purposes of administering the program, and (iii) educate the public and promote awareness with respect to the histori c century farms in this state as well as their contribution to agriculture in this state."