Sugar Tree Farms in Tennessee: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Sugar Tree Farms in the Belvidere community of Franklin County, Tennessee, is a roughly 3,300-acre operation run by Mike Robinson, who was named the 2017 Tennessee Farmer of the Year by UT Extension. It combines a commercial Black Angus herd, corn, soybeans, wheat and oats, custom hire, hay and straw, a feed store and an equipment dealership.
| Location | Belvidere, Franklin County, Tennessee, with land in Moore and Lincoln counties |
|---|---|
| Founded | Mike Robinson began farming in 11th grade with 18 acres bought with a loan from his grandfather |
| Sectors | Black Angus cattle; corn; soybeans; wheat; oats; hay and straw; custom hire; feed store; equipment dealership |
| Scale | About 3,300 acres in southern Middle Tennessee |
| Why it is elite | 2017 Tennessee Farmer of the Year, named by UT Extension |
| Ownership | Family operation of Mike and Krislyn Robinson and their twin sons Tracy and Kary |
| Official website | Tennessee Farm Bureau announcement naming Mike Robinson Tennessee Farmer of the Year |
History of Sugar Tree Farms
The Tennessee Farm Bureau reports that Mike Robinson started farming in 11th grade, borrowing $9,600 from his grandfather to buy 18 acres. The operation has grown through 32 years. He has been a Franklin County Farm Bureau member for 30 years and served on the Farm Credit Advisory Board, and he was named Franklin County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1990.
The farm formerly operated Sugar Tree Dairy for about 14 years. Robinson works with his wife Krislyn and twin sons Tracy and Kary, who take part in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, while younger daughters help with age-appropriate chores through 4-H.
What Sugar Tree Farms Grows and Raises
Sugar Tree Farms runs a commercial Black Angus herd and grows corn, soybeans, wheat and oats on about 3,300 acres across Franklin, Moore and Lincoln counties. The report describes a diversified mix of livestock and row crops.
The farm also sells services and products: a custom-hire enterprise, a hay and straw market, a feed store selling bag and bulk feed, and a Farm King Equipment dealership.
How Sugar Tree Farms Makes Money
Cattle and crops
A Black Angus herd and corn, soybean, wheat and oat production make up the farm's core production.
Hay, straw and feed
The hay and straw market and the feed store sell products to other farmers and customers.
Custom hire and equipment
Custom hire serves outside customers, and the Farm King Equipment dealership adds sales and service revenue.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Sugar Tree Farms
The first lesson is to build businesses that serve other farmers. A feed store, hay market, custom hire and dealership use the farm's knowledge and equipment to reach a wider customer base. The second lesson is to use history: after about 14 years in dairy, the Robinsons diversified into other enterprises.
Finally, starting small and borrowing from family shows how a young operator can enter farming with a manageable first step, then grow for decades.
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How to Contact Sugar Tree Farms
Website: https://tnfarmbureau.org/?p=333057
No official farm homepage appeared in our research, so this page links to the Tennessee Farm Bureau announcement. Contact the Franklin County UT Extension office for local introductions, November 2026.
Sugar Tree Farms Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Tennessee Farm Bureau announcement - UT Extension names Franklin County farmer as Tennessee Farmer of the Year
- Farm Progress: Robinson named Tennessee Farmer of the Year - Coverage of the 2017 award and Southeastern competition
- Tennessee Farmer of the Year program - Farm Bureau page on the annual competition
- Tennessee Cattlemen's Association directory - State cattle association resources
- USDA NASS Tennessee profile - 2022 Census of Agriculture figures for Tennessee cattle and crops
Sugar Tree Farms FAQ
Where is Sugar Tree Farms?
Sugar Tree Farms is in the Belvidere community of Franklin County, Tennessee.
How big is the farm?
About 3,300 acres in southern Middle Tennessee.
What does it do besides farming?
It runs a feed store, hay and straw market, custom hire and a Farm King Equipment dealership.
What award did Mike Robinson win?
He was named the 2017 Tennessee Farmer of the Year by UT Extension.
Sugar Tree Farms shows how a Franklin County farmer who began with 18 acres built a 3,300-acre business with cattle, crops, feed and equipment. See the Tennessee farms guide and the other profiles in this directory for more.