Chris Jones: Greene Publishing, Inc.
If you drive south out of Madison and head toward Perry, on County Rd. 14, eventually you'll see a sign for Sirmons and SW Mosley Hall Rd. A few miles down that road you will come to a huge sign that reads “Tuten Farm U-Pick,” and there are plenty of delicious-looking fruits and vegetables to “pick” from. Tuten farms is owned by Madison County native Timmy Tuten. Timmy was born in Madison to Henri and Gussie Tuten. He grew up on his father's farm, learning how to string tobacco and plow fields before he graduated from Madison High School in 1977.
Tuten decided to make a living from farming; and currently, he grows a wide array of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, peas, watermelon, cantaloupes, and peppers. These products are available to the public, for self-picking. Tuten also sells his produce to grocery stores and markets in Monticello, Quitman, Live Oak, Mayo, and Valdosta. Tuten's wife Lisa is the Madison County Tax Collector, and together they have two sons, Cody (Victoria) and Caleb (Amy), and twin grandchildren. The Tutens are members of New Home Baptist Church, where Timmy serves as a Deacon and works with the children.
A genuine people person, Tuten says his favorite thing about farming is seeing his customers satisfied. On the other hand, his least favorite thing about farming is the stress that comes along with it. “Sometimes I'm begging God for rain, and sometimes I'm begging Him to make the rain stop. We're at His mercy,” Tuten said.
Tuten Farms is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and is located at 2332 SW Mosley Hall Rd., about 15 minutes south of Madison. They have vegetable stalls and fields that are available for self-picking.