Griggs Gin Co 1920's
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Griggs Farms LLC is a 5th generation Tennessee Century Farm that has been at it's present location since 1882.
The farm was begun by Robert Buchanan Griggs when he bought a cotton gin located near Highway 79 and moved it to the Mason Grove Community in the northeast corner of Crockett County, Tennessee. At that time, Mason Grove was a growing community that at one time had a post office, church, motel, and a women's boarding school. In addition to operating a cotton gin, Griggs Farms raised cattle, hay, and cotton. Griggs Farms also opened a general store and operated a generator to provide the community electricity. Upon R.B, Griggs' death in 1923, the farming operation and a portion of the land was passed on to his son Willis Wayne Griggs, Willis Griggs maintained the existing operation under the name of Griggs Gin Company until his death in 1953 whereupon his son James Wayne Griggs took over the operation. Wayne Griggs owned Griggs Gin Company until 1995 when it ginned its last cotton crop. The farming aspect of the operation became Wayne Griggs & Son in the mid 1970's when his son, Robert (Bobby) Wayne Griggs, graduated college and returned home to operate the row crop farm. Upon Wayne Griggs' death in 1998, Bobby Griggs took over sole operation of the farm. He changed the farm from all conventional till cotton to a no till operation that also included corn, soybeans, and hybrid Bermuda hay. He operated as a sole proprieter under the name Griggs Farms until his death in 2005. In 2002, upon graduation from college, Robert Matthew (Matt) Griggs returned home to farm with his father Bobby. He took over management of Griggs Farms in 2005 and joint ownership with his sister Jocelyn Bundy. In 2007, they formed a Limited Liability Company named Griggs Farms LLC. In 2009, Matt took over sole ownership of the farm. Jocelyn continues to serve as Secretary and manage the finances. Sine 2006, Matt has integrated wheat, rye, cover crops, and manure into the farming operation, focusing on high yield sustainable practices that heal the soil and protect the environment. |
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