Fox Farm Honored as Maury County Century Farm of the Year
With deep ties to agriculture, Maury County, Tennessee, boasts several farms that have served the county and the state for 100 years or more. These Century Farms are recognized by the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance for their contributions to the community and their longstanding commitment to maintaining the county’s agricultural traditions.
In 2025, Fox Farm in Santa Fe received recognition as the Century Farm of the Year, honoring a family business that is still going strong after over 100 years in operation.
In This Article
Family History
In 1922, Tina Potts of Bellevue moved to the Bethel community to take up residence on an 86-acre farm after the passing of her husband, Robert Potts. In its early years, the farm produced corn, hay, beef cattle, dairy cows and more, growing in acreage over the decades as the second generation of farmers, who became the Fox family, took over the farm.
The Foxes expanded the farm to include tobacco, fruit orchards and molasses production. The farm was also known for its goat meat, which became a favorite for barbecues across the Maury County community.
What began as a modest 86-acre farm has grown into a venture spanning hundreds of acres, some connected to the original plot and others rented from local farms. Today, Fox Farm focuses primarily on beef cattle, with some corn and hay still being grown as well.
Jeff Fox, co-owner and operator of Fox Farm, is part of the fourth generation of farmers descended from Tina Potts and carries on the tradition that has been in his family for more than 10 decades.
“It’s in my blood,” Fox says.
Along with his brother, Tim, Fox grew up living and working on the farm. He recalls chores like cutting and raking hay, feeding the cattle and mowing the pastures while growing up, always surrounded by family. Fox’s parents, Larry and Janie Fox, were heavily involved in the community and in agriculture, from participating in 4-H and FFA to their involvement with the Bethel Community Club. The family even welcomed Dolly Parton to the farm during the filming of “The Blue Valley Songbird,” letting Dolly park her trailer on the property.
Recognizing Greatness
When Fox Farm received the Century Farm of the Year award in 2025, Fox had the opportunity to share the history of his family’s farm in front of over 100 people at a breakfast event held by the Maury Alliance.
“It’s an honor to stand up there and talk about [the farm’s history],” Fox says. “I couldn’t have done that without the rest of my family chipping in.”
Fox Farm joins the ranks of 21 century farms across Maury County and nearly 2,300 across Tennessee. These farms are recognized on a county and state level through the Tennessee Century Farms Program. A sign designates their status as a Century Farm, raising awareness of the importance of agriculture across the state and beyond.
“Agriculture is the backbone of this country,” Fox says.
Future Generations
Having spent a lifetime in agriculture, Fox has navigated changes in the industry and recognizes the importance of educating the next generation of farmers. Changing technology, new livestock breeding techniques and shrinking acreage are just some of the challenges and changes that farmers like Fox have contended with over the years.
“You went from having mule-drawn equipment to nice tractors with air conditioning,” Fox says. “If young people are interested in agriculture, they need to get as much education as they can so they can navigate everything with all this new technology.”
With two daughters of his own and two granddaughters, Fox hopes that the next generations will be able to carry on the family legacy that he has helped maintain.
Despite the hard work that goes into maintaining a legacy farm, Fox savors the feeling of satisfaction that arises from the effort – mowing fields in the peaceful early morning hours, helping deliver a new calf and, above all, spending time with his family make it all worthwhile.
“I love every bit of it,” Fox says. “It’s rewarding for me, getting to work with my family daily. It makes life a whole lot better.”
Maury County Century Farms of the Year
- 1995: Jimmy Russell Farm
- 1996: Ridley Farm – Campbell Ridley Jr.
- 1997: Enon Creek Farm – James Lockridge Family
- 1999: Pillow Place Farm – Halliday Family
- 2000: Carl Harris Jr.
- 2001: Tanglewood Farm – J.D. Matthews
- 2002: Worley Farm
- 2003: Gardner Family Farm
- 2004: George Martin Armstrong
- 2005: Frank Curry
- 2006: Cecil Whiteside Farm
- 2007: Charles Pigg Farm
- 2008: Pleasant Valley Farm – Erwin Family
- 2009: Cleburn Farm – Campbell Family
- 2010: Napier Farm – Napier Family
- 2011: Armsdale Farm – Mclver Family
- 2012: John Cothran Farm
- 2013: John Satterwhite Farm
- 2014: Weatherford – Poag Farm
- 2015: Cecil Farm – Kenny & Jody Cecil
- 2016: Petty Rasbury Farm
- 2017: Bratton Farm
- 2018: Pugh Duncan Farm
- 2019: Mayfield-Delk Farm
- 2020: Sam Whiteside Farm
- 2021: Webster Farm
- 2022: Anderson – Delk – Kennedy – Kettle Mills Farm
- 2023: Harris – Jones – Greasy Branch Farm
- 2024: Biffle Potts
- 2025: Fox Farm
Get to Know Maury County
Want to learn more about living and working in Maury County? Check out the latest edition of Livability: Maury County Business.