Porter Farm

Porter Farm is a historic property near Terrell that includes a Cape style house and several associated farming buildings. The complex spreads across multiple acres and shows the typical layout of a working estate with a residence and various outbuildings.

A farmer and a government official started the first cooperative farm demonstration project on this land in 1903. This venture became the foundation for a program that would eventually operate in many states.

The farm served as a place where farmers gathered to learn improved soil and crop management practices together. This hands-on cooperation showed other landowners in the region that new methods could genuinely work and increase their yields.

The property sits roughly 2 miles north of Terrell along a farm road and is fairly easy to locate. Visitors should note that this is a historic site, so checking ahead about access and visiting hours is wise.

The experiment proved that simple changes in soil care and crop rotation could double the cotton harvest, prompting the spread of these practices across the region. These results were so convincing that they became the model for a nationwide training initiative.