Palmer farm celebrates centennial

Terry and Bret Palmer look over the original abstracts of the family's 100-year-old farm.

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While that accomplishment is certainly noteworthy, it's not the Palmers' only milestone in 2009. On Thursday, Dec. 17, 200 of the original farm's 240 acres, located near Holly Island, will have been in the family for 100 years, earning the distinct title of a centennial farm.

The land was purchased by Terry's grandfather, George, on Dec. 17, 1909. Prior to that, what would become the keystone of today's Palmer Farms was owned by the Campbell Lumber Company. At the time of the sale, George Palmer paid $22 per acre for the land.

"It worked out for both sides," Bret said of the original purchase. "The lumber company wanted the trees and didn't really have much use for the land, and great-grandpa wanted the land and didn't have much use for the trees."

George Palmer's son, George Lemuel (G.L.) Palmer, spent years working the land following his return from World War II. The passion of farming and the lifestyle which accompanies it was passed from G.L. and wife Gladys to Terry, their son.

For nearly 40 years, G.L. Palmer operated the family farm. Much of that time, a young Terry was by his father's side, learning more and more about what makes a farm successful.

Terry took over the farm's operation when his father retired in 1987. By that time, Terry and wife, Dereta, had a future Palmer farmer of their own in young Bret.

Farming is forever intertwined with the history of the Palmer family. With Bret's involvement marking the sixth generation of farmers in the family, there is an impressive Palmer lineage which predates the Civil War.

Over time, however, it was feared the actual purchase date of the farm had been lost. G.L. Palmer knew the centennial was approaching during the new millennium, but could not find the necessary paperwork featuring a specific date.

"It meant a lot to my grandfather," Bret said of reaching the centennial mark. "Our family history meant a lot to him, just as it does to us."

Sadly, G.L. Palmer passed away in 2007. While he did not see the farm he had worked so many years to build celebrate 100 years, he was able to impart his knowledge and love for the land into his son and grandson, ensuring the milestone would be reached.

"We're proud we can go ahead and finish it up for him," Terry said.

Bret, with help from Van Winton of Clay County Abstract, was able to find original documents with the farm's date of purchase listed in order to determine when the centennial would occur.

To recognize the event, the Palmers are having a sign made to commemorate the centennial farm which has now been a part of their family for five generations.

"Dad wanted a sign up in the yard for a 100-year farm, and we're going to do that for him," Terry said. "He and my grandfather worked hard to make it possible for us to be farming here today. We're here and the farm's here because of them."