Reeves Peach Farm: A Legacy of Fresh, Tree-Ripened Peaches

Discover the rich history of Reeves Peach Farm, settled in 1835 by Thomas "Jack" Reeves near Hartselle, Alabama. From humble beginnings farming cotton, corn, and vegetables for their own consumption, the farm's legacy has evolved into something extraordinary.

Reeves Peach Farm is an operation is North Alabama, that produces and sells large varieties of crops, with a special focus on peaches. Mike Reeves, owner of the farm, runs the business with his sons, where they carry on a legacy that is now 5 generations deep. Their farm has not always been in the fruit production business. In 1950, Mike’s great grandfather and his sons grew some watermelons and proudly sold them under the shade of oak trees to neighbors and passersby along Highway 36. As this took off, Mike’s dad and grandaddy built a fruit stand in 1959, where they introduced many other fruits, including their infamous peaches. This is just the start of what would become a well-known, successful operation.

The farm operates on 160 acres, with 25 dedicated to peaches. Although peaches are their trademark, the farm is continually adding more value with other commodities. This spans from ice-cream to pies to salsa and more. All these products find ways to include their tree-ripened peaches.

From May to September, they rotate different varieties of peaches. Instead of picking all the peaches at once, they will wait until they are ripe on the tree. “When selecting peaches, we look for the right color - my dad always said to go for the biggest and reddest ones,” Reeves said. Through a thinning process, the farm removes 90% of the peaches from the tree and leave around 400 hanging. This is because too much weight can bog down the tree and affect the next year’s crop. Since there can be 30 buds on just one limb, they strategically leave only 2 buds on each limb – an investment in next year’s yield.

When they built and moved into their new building in 2020, they included a kitchen and restaurant. This only further expanded their footprint, and they now offer a full menu for guests to enjoy on site; the most notable of which is their peach wood smoked Barbeque. Peach trees must be replaced every 15 to 16 years, so instead of burning the brush they have found new ways to utilize these peaches through the restaurant.

“It’s a way of life, a good lifestyle. From an overall look at growing food locally, I think it is important that folks know where their food comes from. I’m retired supposedly, but I’m having so much fun that I just want to continue to get up and enjoy all of it that I can,” Reeves said.

This has proven to be a work of love with the way it has flourished over the years.

“Alabama Farm Credit was the clear choice for our loan, providing constant support and communication throughout the process,” Reeves said. Reeves goes on to outline that Alabama Farm Credit has made borrowing easy and accessible, always available to respond promptly to calls or texts.

Our partnership with Reeves Peach Farm began in 2019 when they built the building that they operate out of today. Being a part of watching this operation grow has been rewarding, but also, we share in those successes when we see our borrowers create and maintain sustainable operations.

“Working with AFC has been hassle-free, with minimal bureaucracy. Additionally, the annual dividend from AFC adds to our sense of being involved in the operation, and we eagerly anticipate its return each year,” Reeves said.

Mike Reeves and his team set continuous goals of what they want to provide and how they want to be known in the community. Typically, it involves providing a high-quality product to their customers, and giving them the opportunity to get something they can’t get anywhere else. “You can get peaches anywhere, but you can’t get tree-ripened peaches just anywhere. Most people haven’t tasted a tree ripened peach,” Reeves said.

The farm offers tours and “you pick” activities to get the community involved and educated on where their food is coming from. Reeves Peach Farm is a long-standing member of this community, with roots running deeper every year.

You can visit Reeves Peach Farm in Hartselle, Alabama at 336 Hwy 36E, Hartselle, AL 35640. Follow them on Facebook at Reeves Peach Farm to stay in the know on all the exciting new things happening on the farm.

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Together We Grow Foundation Awards 11 Scholarships to North Alabama Students

May 20, 2026

The Together We Grow Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of 11 scholarships totaling $27,500 to students pursuing education and careers in agriculture and related fields across North Alabama, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to investing in the future of Alabama’s agricultural community. The Together We Grow Foundation was born from a group of young farmers who recognized a growing need for college scholarships to support students entering Alabama’s agricultural sector. What began as a shared concern has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating opportunity, leadership, and long term success for students across the state. This year’s awards include 10 Young Roots Scholarships and one Cultivating Leaders Scholarship. The Young Roots Scholarship is designed for graduating high school seniors, and the Cultivating Leaders Scholarship supports students graduating from a two year college who plan to pursue a four year degree. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement and active involvement in their schools and communities. 2026 Scholarship Recipients • Ella Barkley, DeKalb County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Kylie Calvert, Cullman County – Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Kiley Cochran, Jefferson County — Cultivating Leaders Scholarship recipient; attends Wallace State Community College and will major in Communications • River Cox, Calhoun County — Plans to attend the University of West Alabama and major in Forestry Technology • Jayden Friedrich, Cullman County — Plans to attend the University of South Alabama and major in Radiology, with a minor in Agricultural Sciences • Jackson Haynes, Cullman County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Biological and Agricultural Technology Management • Blaine McDuffa, Franklin County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Elijah Miller, Colbert County — Plans to attend Northwest Shoals Community College and major in Industrial Systems Technology • Addison Norwood, Limestone County — Plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in Legal Studies • Gracie Stidham, Cullman County – Plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and major in Nursing • Melanie Studdard, Cherokee County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Mechanical Engineering The Together We Grow Foundation receives proceeds from Alabama Farm Credit’s Ag Night at the Rocket City Trash Pandas, with VIP ticket sales directly benefiting Together We Grow scholarships. VIP tickets are on sale now for Ag Night, set for June 19 at the Rocket City Trash Pandas stadium. The Foundation primarily raises scholarship funds through community supported events, including Agri Shoot at Selwood Farms, an annual sporting clays fundraiser held each fall, which will take place on September 18 at Selwood Farms this year. Through the support of Alabama Farm Credit and community partners, the Together We Grow Foundation continues to strengthen the future of agriculture by investing in students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to serving their communities. For more information about the Together We Grow Foundation, VIP ticket sales, or upcoming events, visit thetwgfoundation.com.

Loyd Rutherford Named 2026 Academy of Honor Recipient, Scholarship Established at Auburn University

May 17, 2026

Alabama Farm Credit (AFC) proudly recognizes former board chairman Loyd Rutherford as a 2026 inductee into the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Academy of Honor, the Bank’s highest distinction for leadership and service in agricultural credit. Established in 1968, the Academy of Honor in Agricultural Credit recognizes individuals who have made valuable and significant contributions to agriculture, rural communities and the Farm Credit System. Each year, one deserving individual is inducted into the Academy of Honor, and a one-time $25,000 scholarship bearing the inductee’s name is awarded through a college or university of their choice. Mr. Rutherford has chosen Auburn University as the recipient of the Loyd Rutherford Academy of Honor Scholarship, which will support five students with $5,000 scholarships to further their education and careers in agriculture. A lifelong agricultural producer and business leader, Rutherford was raised on a farm and spent much of his life farming cotton, soybeans, wheat and broilers, while also managing the Lawrence County Exchange, the local farmers’ cooperative known at the time by that name. His deep agricultural roots shaped a career defined by service, leadership and a commitment to rural communities. Rutherford dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing agriculture through his leadership within the Farm Credit System. He served on the AFC board of directors from 1990 to 2019, including more than two decades as chairman from 1995 to 2017. During that time, he helped guide the association through the farm crisis of the early 1990s, significant structural transitions, and decades of sustained growth. He consistently championed stockholder interests and long-term stability while also serving on numerous district and national Farm Credit boards and committees. Rutherford was formally recognized as a 2026 Academy of Honor inductee at the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Annual Meeting, where his steady leadership, hands-on involvement in agriculture and lasting impact on rural communities were celebrated. Throughout his career, he was supported by his wife, Janice Rutherford, whose encouragement and partnership were integral to his lifelong dedication to agriculture and service. The scholarship established in Rutherford’s name reflects both his legacy and the Farm Credit System’s continued investment in the next generation. The funds will be awarded through Auburn University to students pursuing agriculture-related fields of study, helping recipients continue their education and build careers that strengthen rural America.