Roots Run Deep on Family Farms in Robertson County, TN

From custom meat cuts to watermelons and pumpkins, families provide a range of goods to customers across Tennessee and beyond.

By Wesley Broome on April 9, 2024

Nathan Lambrecht

Agricultural roots run deep in Robertson County. Family farms across the region keep up a tradition of farming that runs back through the generations. From custom meat cuts to wholesale watermelons and pumpkins, families provide a range of goods to customers across Tennessee and beyond, while maintaining important ties to the land. Meet two of the family farms in Robertson County.

Jeff Adkins

The Pearsons 

For seven generations, the Pearson family has been farming land in Robertson County. With gravestones on their property dating to the 1700s, the Pearsons maintain a legacy of farming that runs deep into the area’s agricultural history. “It’s just the foundation of where I come from,” Bill Pearson says. 

Like many farms in the area, the Pearson family historically grew tobacco and raised cattle. Then, they progressed into row crops like corn, wheat and soybeans, which form the basis of what the Pearsons continue to grow today. 

Yet an interest in diversification led Pearson Farms to explore other crops, including pumpkins and watermelons. The Pearsons joined with another family business, Jepson Farms, in 2018 to form the Orlinda Melon Co. What started out as 75 acres of watermelon has grown into a 350-acre expanse, which serves wholesale markets all over the East Coast. 

“We’re wholesale producers, and we take pride in trying to raise good products,” Bill says. 

While they primarily serve the wholesale market, the Pearsons also sell at local farmers markets from July through October, drawing customers eager to buy ripe watermelons for the summer. Serving their community remains an important part of their business. 

“If you know who’s grown (your food) and you trust them, then I think you’re going to be more satisfied, knowing that it is a healthy product,” says Jenny Jo Pearson. 

With three boys now growing up on the farm, the Pearson farming legacy may yet continue into the eighth generation. For the Pearsons, maintaining that land is key to understanding where they come from. “I think our hearts are definitely here,” Jenny Jo says. “It’s home.” 

Stratton DV Imaging

The Bernards 

At Bernard Farms Custom Cuts and Market in Orlinda, Julie and Steve Bernard open their farm to visitors and customers throughout the year. When the Bernards first started selling their farm-raised pork at farmers markets in 2018, they didn’t foresee how the demand for their product would grow. 

“During the pandemic, we recognized the need to start processing our own meats to keep up with consumer demand,” Julie says. 

Now, the family owns and operates a meat processing facility and farm store on their property, which stocks bacon, chops, ground pork and more quality meats. In addition, Bernard Farms raises corn, wheat, soybeans and dark-fired tobacco as part of its fourth-generation tradition of farming. 

“Agriculture is one of the largest producing industries in our county and a huge part of our heritage,” Julie says. 

The Bernards have expanded their operation to include several agritourism events throughout the year. Cupcakes with the Easter Bunny, Fall on the Farm, and Pancakes and Pajamas with Santa are all festive ways to mark the changing of the seasons. But Fall on the Farm is their biggest event on the calendar, drawing over 1,200 people and featuring vendors, live music and fall-themed activities. 

“These events create new and returning customers,” Julie says. “Diversification on the farm is a must to keep our family on the farm and our farm in the family.” 

For the Bernards, maintaining a family-run farm is a continuation of generations of work that continues to be supported by the people of Robertson County. 

“Orlinda is our home and our farm,” Julie says. 

Red River Farms

Signature Events in Robertson County

Robertson County has a long and storied history in agriculture that continues to this day. The community celebrates its farming heritage at these signature events: 

Sunflower Festival at Red River Farms: Acres and acres of beautiful yellow sunflowers at Red River Farms take center stage every July when the three-day Sunflower Festival arrives in Springfield. The July 2024 festival will be the fifth annual, and activities include hayrides to the sunflower field, selfies in the sunflowers, a sunflower maze, a craft fair with 50+ juried vendors, food trucks, helicopter rides and a kids’ zone. 

Fall Fest at Shade Tree Farm and Orchard: The community of Adams is the place to be on the first Saturday of October when the annual Fall Festival takes place at Shade Tree Farm and Orchard. Their large apple orchard is the setting for a petting zoo, music acts, kids’ activities, food trucks and treats like apple slushies and fresh cider doughnuts. 

Robertson County Fair: Of course, carnival rides are a major part of every Robertson County Fair, but other fun-filled attractions at the annual extravaganza include an array of arena events, a car show, live bands, pageants, a faith night, a 4-H talent show, a pet show and livestock competitions. The 157th annual Robertson County Fair will take place in 2024 at the fairgrounds, which is located in Springfield. 

Bell Witch Fall Festival: If you like spooky stuff, the city of Adams presents the annual Bell Witch Fall Festival, which showcases a scary local spirit known as Kate the Bell Witch, who in 1817 is said to have frightened the Bell family. Telling the stories of the Bell Witch and the Tobacco Wars, the festival includes plays staged on weekends in September and October, with productions titled “Red River Tales,” “Smoke: A Ballad of the Night Riders” and “Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee.” 

– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.