The Booker Farm in Tater Valley was founded in 1902 by George and Sally Ann Booker. Their 13 children included Rev. Verlin Booker, who purchased the farm from his father. His son Gail Booker operated a Grade A dairy for many years. Now Gail’s daughter and son-in-law (Debbie and Dale Corum) operate the farm along with their family. In total, six generations have lived and farmed this land, raising Angus cattle and a small flock of chickens.
The farm was registered with the Dept. of Agriculture as a Century Farm in 2018. It is one of only 10 farms in Union County to become a Century Farm.
The Tennessee Century Farm program was created in 1975 by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture as part of the Bicentennial celebration. In 1985, the MTSU Center for Historical Preservation in Murfreesboro assumed responsibility for the program. The Tennessee Century Farm program has farms in all 95 Tennessee counties. Their job is to identify, document and recognize farms owned and farmed by the same families for at least 100 years. After approval, the Department of Agriculture comes out and presents to the family, and hangs a sign recognizing the farm as a Century Farm.
Tater Valley Nursery opened in 1996. Dale built two greenhouses and later added three more for a total of 15,000 sq. ft. of heated growing space with automatic waters. Raising bedding plants, hanging baskets and vegetable plants. The nursery also takes custom orders for many local farmers.
Debbie said It all started from their love for watching things grow, “We enjoy trying new plants along with growing the usual standbys. Our most popular are tomatoes and geraniums. We have many other vegetables and lots of flowers. We usually start sowing seed in the middle of winter, with the whole family involved―you will find everyone filling pots, transplanting, and watering. There is always plenty to do during spring plant season. Our selling season for vegetables is now underway and the flowers will start in April and continue until sold out, which is usually around Mother’s Day.”
This season started out with two thousand geraniums in ten different colors, a thousand hanging baskets, five hundred ferns and a variety of bedding plants.
Debbie is looking forward to all her regular customers returning this spring and bringing their friends with them. She said the most rewarding part of running a nursery is the people you meet.
The nursery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m., or you may contact them at 865-992-7558 or by email at dcorum509@gmail.com.