By Hannah Bradley and Mary Beth Henley
FARM CITY Day has become a cherished Franklin County tradition that many families and students look forward to each year. The event is rooted in community, a celebration of agriculture, and an opportunity to introduce young students to an industry that plays a vital role in everyday life.
“In May 1996, under my direction, we hosted the first Franklin County Farm City Day,” said event coordinator Mary Beth Henley. “It was planned months in advance around my kitchen table with friends Ray and Elaine Weaver and my husband, William. We organized schedules, recruited volunteers, and developed activities.”
The mission of Farm City Day has always been to educate kindergarten students about agriculture and where food comes from. With support from area farmers, including Don and Fred Shadow, FG Moore Farm, Terry Holder Hog Farm, Mast Dairy, and the Southern Middle Tennessee Pavilion, organizers created a hands-on farm experience for Franklin County students.
Although Homeland Security restrictions have prevented on-site farm visits since 2015, students still have the opportunity to experience agriculture through interactive exhibits and demonstrations. Commodity groups such as the Tennessee Pork Producers, Soil Conservation Service, Tennessee Beef Council, Tennessee Farm Bureau, Cotton Board, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods, and Interlocal Solid Waste-Recycling continue to provide engaging educational stations.
Throughout the day, students are able to see animals up close, observe bees in a hive presented by the Elk Valley Beekeepers, and visit a vegetable garden hosted by the Master Gardeners. Children also meet Smokey Bear, take photos on a tractor provided by Tri-Green Equipment, plant seeds with Young Farmers and Ranchers, and try milking a model cow at the “Farmer for a Day” exhibit.
Woodall Grain supplies grain samples so students can touch, compare, and learn how grains are used in everyday life. Duck River Electric also participates by demonstrating its bucket truck and teaching basic electricity concepts, often sparking curiosity about future careers in agriculture and skilled trades.
One of the event’s favorite traditions is the dairy presentation led by retired farmer David Rieben, who has participated every year and continues to enjoy sharing his knowledge with students.
Over the years, Farm City Day has featured a variety of memorable experiences for local children. In earlier years, students watched sheep shearing demonstrations by Kenneth Beachy and learned how wool is carded, spun, and woven. They visited Shadow Nursery, saw exotic animals, and rode hay wagons through the pastures of Moore Farm and Lynch Farm. One especially memorable highlight included a crop duster flyover, with the pilot waving to the crowd below.
“Many farmers who helped start this event have passed away, but I believe they would be proud it continues,” Henley said. “I still feel excited when the Franklin Farmers Co-op truck arrives with gates for the animal pens and everything comes together. It is a lot of work, but I love seeing the children’s smiles and excitement, whether they are looking at a longhorn steer or climbing onto a tractor.”
Henley emphasized that the event’s purpose is to give students a meaningful understanding of agriculture’s role in daily life. She credits the event’s success to strong partnerships with the Board of Education, teachers, Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau Women, Young Farmers and Ranchers, the Livestock Association, local farmers, 4-H Clubs, and Future Farmers of America.
These organizations not only provide the volunteers who make the event possible, but also give student volunteers valuable hands-on experience and involvement within the agricultural community.
Thanks to the continued support of sponsors and more than 90 volunteers, Franklin County Farm City Day carries on each May, rain or shine, at the Southern Middle Tennessee Pavilion, inspiring new generations to appreciate the importance of farming and the people who make it possible. GN
