Four Locust Farms:

A Legacy Rooted in History and Heritage

Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage for Generations to Come




Four Locust Farms is located in Charlotte County, Virginia. Our home farm, located in Keysville, consists of 390-acres with several other farms throughout both Charlotte and Halifax counties.


From 1925-1962, the farm operated as Pettus Dairy Farm, a major Richmond-market dairy operation. Today, the farm is a beef cow-calf operation under the management of fourth-generation owner R. Z. Tucker, along with his son, R. D. Tucker. The farm now proudly produces both Angus and Hereford cattle.


Four Locust Farms is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a Virginia Century Farm for long-term continuous family ownership and production.

Founding and Early Years

Established in the early 1800s, Four Locust Farms began as a modest family homestead, laying the foundation for generations of agricultural stewardship in Charlotte County.

Century Farm Designation

Four Locust Farms earned the Virginia Century Farm status, recognizing over 100 years of continuous family ownership and commitment to sustainable farming practices.

National Historical Registry Recognition

The farm was added to the National Historical Registry in 2005, highlighting its architectural heritage and role in Virginia’s rural and agricultural history.

Modern Operations and Legacy

Today, Four Locust Farms continues its beef cow-calf operation under R. Z. and R. D. Tucker, blending tradition with modern techniques to preserve its historical significance.

Operations

Four Locust Farms operates a sustainable cow-calf beef program, preserving its agricultural heritage while supplying families with premium-quality beef.


Daily Practices

Our routine includes pasture rotation, herd health monitoring, and calving management to ensure quality livestock and land stewardship.

A herd of black and brown cattle grazing in a sunny green pasture with farm buildings in the background.

Herd Care

Regular health checks and nutrition plans are implemented to maintain the wellbeing of the cow-calf herd throughout the seasons.

A black cow nurses her black calf in a sunlit green pasture next to a wooden fence and trees.

Land Management

Pasture rotation, as well as soil and water conservation techniques, preserves the farm’s productivity and honors its long-standing agricultural legacy.

A person wearing a fedora and a suit with a vest stands in front of a white two-story house with a large porch.

Legacy Impact

The operation sustains traditional farming methods while contributing to the farm’s historical significance and community role.

A brown cow stands in the shade of a tree with its spotted calf in a grassy, dirt field.
Black and white photo of a row of small, white wooden farm buildings with gabled roofs along a gravel path.

Sustaining History

Four Locust Farms' daily operations reflect a commitment to preserving its heritage and supporting future generations of farming.

Community Roots

Four Locust Farms has supported Charlotte County by providing consistent agricultural practices and fostering local partnerships since its establishment.

Sustaining Local Agriculture

Our farm sustains local agriculture by raising high-quality cattle with responsible farming practices while offering pasture-to-plate beef to the community.

Preserving Heritage

As a Virginia Century Farm on the National Historical Registry, it stands as a living testament to the area’s farming legacy and ongoing community commitment.

Explore Four Locust Farms' Enduring Legacy

A Century Farm Honored on the National Historical Registry

Four Locust Farms stands as a testament to Virginia’s agricultural heritage, maintaining continuous family ownership and operation for over a century. Recognized as a Century Farm and listed on the National Historical Registry, it reflects a commitment to sustainable beef cow-calf farming and community stewardship. Reach out to us to see how tradition and modern farming practices coexist, preserving a vital piece of local history.

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