Nippers honored for Century Farms and attend special event
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Tommy and Linda Nipper have two Tennessee Century Farms in Bledsoe County – the Tollett-Nipper farm added in 2014 and the Allison-Nipper farm earned the recognition in March, 2026. Through these distinctions, the Nippers recently attended a book release reception in Nashville for Century Farm owners.
Dr. Carroll Van West’s new book, Tennessee’s Frontier Century Farms: An Enduring Legacy of Family, Farming, and Community, has been published. Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt and the Tennessee Century Farm owners came together on June 2 to launch the book and honor generations of Tennessee families whose farms have remained in continuous agriculture operation and family ownership for 100 years or more.
“Tennessee’s Century Farms represent the strength, resilience and dedication of our farm families,” said Commissioner Holt. “Agriculture is Tennessee’s top industry, and these farms tell the story of that success through generations of hardwork, stewardship, and commitment to the land. We are proud to celebrate the families who have preserved this heritage for future generations.”
There are more than 2,300 farms representing all 95 counties that have reached this milestone. In Bledsoe County there are more than 20 Tennessee Century Farms. The Century Farm program is administered by Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Historic Preservation.
The Tollett-Nipper farm, established in 1908, comes from Linda’s lineage through the Tollett family. It is located in Bledsoe and Cumberland counties. The Nippers purchased the farm from Linda’s grandfather in 1971 and it was welcomed to the Century Farm program in 2014.
The Allison-Nipper farm was founded in 1926 in Bledsoe County and was inducted as a Century Farm in 2026. It has a rich history of hay, timber, and livestock production. Cleo Scarbrough and David Claude Allison were married in 1916 and raised their five children on the 192 acre farm producing corn, wheat, rye, alfalfa hay, and Lespedeza hay in addition to vegetables from a large garden. Claude raised Hereford cattle on the farm and third generation farmer, Tommy, has been raising Herefords on the farm since 2013.
In 1991, Tommy and his sister Ginger Maxwell, grandchildren of the founders, acquired a portion of the farm. Tommy has continued to farm about 24 acres of the original farm, raising cattle and horses and growing hay.
Tommy and Linda are active in many agricultural and community organizations and have held numerous leadership positions. In 2025, Tommy received the Bledsoe County Farm Bureau Lifetime Agricultural Service Award.
The Nippers’ children, Meredith (Collins) and Matthew, were raised on the farm being active in 4-H and exhibiting cattle from 4-H to college. Meredith’s son, Mason, attended the recent reception with his grandparents. They received a signed copy of Dr. Carroll Van West’s book to commemorate the event.
