Hi Old Salt,

Sorry about Mrs. Salt's issues.  Hope all goes well for you with your move.

Not Tennessee, but we have friends who live in rural Franklin, Kentucky (about 45-50 minutes from Nashville) and it is beautiful there.  We visited that area with them a few years ago and thought it was really lovely.

Also have friends who live on one of the huge lakes near Loudon, TN and I know that isn't a place where you grow crops and have animals, but the area around Loudon is really nice.  It is such a pretty little town, too.  Farther away, probably 2 1/2 hours from Nashville.

Good luck to you.  I hope you find something that is just perfect for you.