Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Terry Ernie Brewster, Jr..
Hi Debbie Terry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Terry Farm began in 1947 with Debbie’s Grandparents, Alton who served as a WWII Staff Sargent and his wife Elizabeth Terry. Many first on this farm as Alton and Elizabeth were the first to bring Registered White Charolais Cattle to the Scott County area. The Dairy farm, was producing corn, hay, one chicken house housing chickens and an annual garden. The Dairy lasted over 54 years serving Scott County TN. Elizabeth often smiled stating “my milk, butter and buttermilk went to 5 other states. After the passing of Debbie’s Grandfather in 2013 then Grandmother in 2019 Debbie inherited over 12 acres of the original 36 acre farm. The rest of the farm remains with family members. Debbie Terry and her husband Ernie Brewster, Jr. pondered on what to do with the farm. Growing up on the farm Debbie watched her Grandfather work a full time job while performing all the farm duties along side her Grandmother. Understanding that the dairy farm and farm life wasn’t any easy life to fulfill with their full-time careers, they embarked on opening Little House at the Pond to Air bnb guests. Successfully serving guest from 32 states. After being requested to house Scott County TCAT students from all over Tennessee to attend lineman school and other classes they developed a small part of the land into a 4 spot campground with full hook ups. Ernie had the idea of calling it “Out to Pasture RV Park and Campground” which is now open to the public full time. Ernie didn’t know it used to be the beginning of the dairy cow pasture when he recommended the name. What an appropriate name for such a wonderful place. The campground has been up and running for two years now and the guest comments on their Terry Farm Google Reviews show how guest love the peaceful, quiet, convenient area that is only 6 miles from entrance to the Big South Fork Recreational Park. Being one of the area’s best kept secret that all hikers, nature lovers, kayak and rafters, river enthusiast and horse riders love to visit from all over the United States. The couple realized most students didn’t have campers, so they turned the old metal tractor shed into four efficiency apartments for what has become their ministry to house the students and giving the parents a peace of mind while students are away at school often many hours from their home and family. The couple have enjoyed all the new faces and the dreams they have been blessed to be a part of. Debbie said “she knows this is that same feeling that her Grandparents had while serving others from this same farm”. The family tradition carries on another generation of sharing love at the farm. Visit their website www.terryfarmsouthfork.com and experience this hidden gem.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We had the Little House custom built in Clarkrange, TN and then had it transferred to the farm and finished. At the time we lived away from the farm and it was a battle to get it finished in time for the first Air bnb guest, however it was accomplished.
The Campground was developed and then we didn’t have students to fill it so we opened to public not sure how that would work, it’s been great and the guest have been a blessing.
Advertising the Air bnb and the campground were harder at first then we started getting noticed by word of mouth outside the area and also by repeat guest.
Debbie has endured many medical issues since they began this journey and it has relied on Ernie to run the farm.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Debbie was a Realtor for 33 years recently retiring due to medical issues. Ernie has been a full time Realtor with Coldwell Banker Nelson Realtors, Inc. serving the Scott County, Knox County and Blount County areas.
How do you think about luck?
We depend on the Good Lord to give us our blessings. The blessing of inheritance of the farm was through the Grandparents who also loved the Lord and depended on his blessings and favor. Farming isn’t for the weak or weak at heart especially in those early years of the farm.
Pricing:
- Nightly Rates Available
- Weekly Rates Available
- Monthly Rates Available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terryfarmsouthfork.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terryfarmtn?igsh=MTdoc2wwOHF3ajFlOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G2QkA1Nge/?mibextid=wwXIfr
