Williamson County agriculture from Gov. Bill Lee's family farm
'We are the best state in the country, and part of that is because of what's happening not only in our big cities — but also out here in the country,' explained Lee.
Gov. Lee grew up on Triple L Ranch, a cattle farm established by his grandfather more than 60 years ago. From early mornings working cattle, to participating in 4-H expos and Future Farmers of America programs, he said life on the farm as a child taught him the value of hard work — and conservation.
'Farmers know better than anyone that protecting the land is protecting their livelihood,' Lee said. 'Folks do oftentimes think that farmers are the problem, when they actually are those who understand the answers more than anyone.'
News 2 On Tour | Explore the communities that shape Middle Tennessee
Now, Lee draws on his experiences in rural Tennessee in the governor's office, especially when tackling a topic like growth.
'We lose 10 acres an hour of farmland in this state to development,' Lee said.
He said like many areas across the state, Williamson County's winding roads and wide open spaces are attracting residents at record pace — threatening the foundation of Tennessee's economy.
'When I was a little kid here, this was a very different county,' Lee said. 'You've seen what's happened in the past 50 or 60 years, and it's an example of what can and will happen in Tennessee. It's why we have to plan to have economic development and preservation going on at the same time,' he said.
Among his efforts to protect land for future generations, he passed the Farmland Preservation Act in April. It puts $25 million towards the Farmland Conservation Fund within the Department of Environment and Conservation, giving farmers an incentive to put their land into a conservation easement so it will not be developed in the future, Lee said.
'These things are not just something that people enjoy, they're absolutely livelihoods for many folks all across the state,' he said.
Exploring Williamson County agriculture at Hatcher Family Dairy
It's all in the hope that places like Triple L Ranch can carry on that agricultural legacy. Lee said multiple generations of his family live on the property. While it's a place that grounds him on the weekends, it is also where he pictures his future.
'It's a refuge for me, especially in the job that I have now. To come home and spend time at home, where I've lived my whole life, it's a gift,' he said. 'My grandparents lived and died here, my parents both lived and died here, I suspect I'll live and die here.' he said.
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