Greer Farms

The fertile soil of southwestern Indiana has supported generations of crops - and generations of the Greer family, who have lived and farmed in the Princeton area since before the Civil War. “Our family has been farming this land since 1855, coming to Indiana from Alabama to homestead here,” says Denise Jamerson. Her father, Norman Greer, has been recognized by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture for continuing the family farming legacy.

Farming in earlier generations was done using mules to pull farm equipment. “Our farm grew as agriculture grew,” Denise says, Norman’s brothers focused on growing melons, sweet corn and produce, while he grew the corn, soybeans and wheat along with doing custom farming for other farms and managed livestock. The family moved away from raising animals, with their row crops and produce operations thriving.

Denise, who lives in Lyles Station with her husband John Jamerson, has always known farming was in her blood as the fifth generation to grow up on the farm. While Doris, Denise’s Mom, insisted Denise and her sisters go to college, Denise has vivid memories of seeing the trucks and tractors come home after custom work and declaring she wanted to be a truck driver. “Mom said no – period!,” Denise says. Yet Denise still found her way outside as a child, enjoying chores with the animals, cutting the grass and doing things like trying to ride a cow that wasn’t tame.

Denise was living in Indianapolis post college when she helped start a not-for-profit to sustain the Lyles Station School, which is now a museum, that Norman bought at a tax sale in the late 70’s. She later moved back to the area for her and her family to be part of the community and farm life. “It was my path to come back and to preserve history,” she says.

Norman, at age 89, is still farming and other family members are part of the operation, including Denise and John’s son, DeAnthony. The family is passionate about telling the story of agriculture and also serving their community to help address areas that are food deserts. This passion for agriculture and service prompted DeAnthony in 2017 to start Legacy Taste of the Garden.

This agricultural business combines agriculture and education. As shared on the business’ website “Legacy is a family farm operation that was created to pass on generational knowledge of sustainable and entrepreneurial living. Legacy desires to help bring back the knowledge of growing and using fresh produce, and teaching how to obtain a lifestyle in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and self-sustainability.” The family says their goal is to close the gap between local producers and the local consumer, which will support economic vitality in communities.

“The number of farming communities is dwindling as is the understanding of where food comes from,” Denise says. “We want to be part of teaching youth so they understand that farming is so much more than a tractor driving across a field.”

In addition to growing fresh produce and distributing it locally and regionally, Legacy Taste of the Garden also offers a subscription-based Community Supported Agriculture program during warm-weather months. Community gardens, hosting students, farm tours, outreach programs and other events are also ways the family connects people with agriculture. The Jamerson’s other son Jayson is the community’s barber, so is also a connector of people and information.

Farming practices for all parts of the operation are focused on operating sustainably, utilizing conservation programs and thinking about how to rejuvenate the land. “We are doing all we can to help the land do what it does best – grow food,” Denise points out.

Along with cultivating land, the Greer family is helping lift up other small acreage farmers. “We realized that fellow farmers didn’t know about the services available to farmers, and we began working to bring local farm agency people to make connections,” Denise says. They have networked across the state, from Evansville, to Gary, Fort Wayne and Bloomington to help small farmers connect with programs and opportunities.

Staying connected as a family remains the foundation of the farm. “Dad still holds family reunions at the farm, with many generations present from babies to grandparents,” Denise says. “The whole family has relationships and knows each other.”She concludes, “Life on the farm is hard work, yet well worth it to have this good life to grow your own food on your own space alongside family.”