Biffle Potts Farm Honored as Maury County's Century Farm of the Year

Issue #078

05 May

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤 Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 83

🏅 Biffle Potts Farm Honored as Maury County's Century Farm of the Year

⚾️ Vintage Baseball Today at Rippavilla

🆓 Free Tour of Historic Athenaeum Today

🎵 Next Week’s Live Music

🌺 Have You Seen our Columbia Local Mother’s Day Guide? Grab it here! 

📌 Columbia’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Sunday, May 5th

Monday, May 6th

Tuesday, May 7th

Friday, May 10th

Saturday, May 11th

Monday, May 13th

Wednesday, May 15th

Thursday, May 16th

Biffle Potts Farm Honored as Maury County’s Century Farm of the Year

The Biffle Potts Farm in Hampshire received recognition as the Maury County Century Farm of the Year during the annual Farm Breakfast, hosted by the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance.

Established in 1859, this farm, initially for beef and tobacco, spans nearly 400 acres and is managed by Melissa Potts and her husband, Darrell. Melissa inherited 125 acres from her stepfather, James Ed "Mr. Ed" Biffle, in 1993. Over time, they acquired an additional 256 acres to expand their beef cattle operations. The Potts are also long-standing proprietors of United Country Realty & Auction in Columbia.

James Ed Biffle, who served in World War II with the 1st Calvary, married Audrey, Melissa's mother, in 1990, and passed away in 1994. Despite a severe injury sustained during the war (which caused him to farm one-handed), he worked with a bulldozer and combine. He assisted other farmers with their crops but never cultivated his own.

Audrey and Ed Biffle shared a love for visiting World War II sites and held a particular fondness for Mule Day, according to Melissa.

Speaking to hundreds of guests at the annual Farm Breakfast at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, Melissa emphasized the significance of land stewardship and preserving the farm's legacy. Their aspiration is to maintain the farm's integrity for generations to come.

Melissa revealed their foray into row crops this year but expressed her deepest passion lies with the small goat sanctuary they established. Originating with around a dozen goats from a neighboring farm, the sanctuary now home to 34 goats.

Senator Joey Hensley presented a proclamation from the Tennessee General Assembly declaring the farm a Century Farm, alongside Representative Scott Cepicky, who remarked on the intrinsic value of working the land and passing on such traditions to future generations.

Vintage Baseball Today at Rippavilla

Credit: tennesseevintagebaseball.com

Step back in time as the Franklin Farriers play the Cumberland Club of Nashville in an old fashioned style baseball game at the historic Rippavilla mansion today.

The game is organized by The Tennessee Association of Vintage Base ball which was established in 2012 “to entertain and educate our communities by recreating the civility of 19th century base ball.”

“We promote living history by bringing the 19th century to life through base ball events that use the rules, equipment, costumes and culture of the 1860s. We provide cultural enrichment and education programs and activities to youth and adults that emphasize honor, team play, respectful conduct and community pride. Our goal is to exemplify to youth and adults alike the values that are lacking in modern-day athletic programs, and encourage a sense of belonging regardless of race, gender, religious conviction or physical ability.”

If you can’t make it to the game today, the next games at Rippavilla will be on May 19th. There are several other dates there throughout the summer.

Today’s game: 2:30-4:00
Rippavilla
5700 Main St. / US Hwy 31, Spring Hill

Free Tour of Historic Athenaeum Today

One of Columbia’s historic buildings, the Athenaeum was Completed in 1837. The building originally served as the rectory for the Columbia Female Institute and as the residence of the school's first president. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Tours normally cost $10 (for adults) but as part of their Free Day in May event, you can tour for free 😀

Free tours take place from 2-4 PM today.

808 Athenaeum St.

🎵 Next Week’s Live Music 🎵

Columbia’s Best Kept Secret: Is Your Business One of Them? 

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