Mayfield Dairy Farms® Story

It was 1910 when the Mayfield family purchased 45 Jersey cows and began delivering milk to customers in their hometown of Athens, Tennessee. Little did they know that — four generations later — this family milk and ice cream business would become one of the Southeast’s favorite dairy brands. Today, Mayfield is owned by a dairy farm cooperative, so you can still taste the family pride in every glass.
1800s

1820

Jesse Mayfield settles in McMinn County, Tennessee in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

1870

T.B. Mayfield Sr. starts a small family farm, raising and selling Jersey cows.

1900-1949

1910

T.B. Jr. follows in his father’s footsteps. He purchases 45 Jersey cows and begins selling milk to local residents.

1922

Mayfield opens the first plant in the area capable of pasteurizing milk.

1923

T.B. Jr. and his wife purchase a ten-gallon ice cream freezer and name their business Mayfield Creamery.

1950-1970

1950

Mayfield opens a new production facility in Athens, Tennessee. They help pioneer the Aro-Vac system, which helps make milk taste exceptionally pure and fresh.

1962

Tom Mayfield develops the first zipper opening for an ice cream carton.

1971-1979

1977

Mayfield ice cream enters the Atlanta and North Georgia markets through the purchase of Aristocrat Ice Cream Company.

1980-1989

1981

Time magazine names Mayfield “World’s Best Ice Cream.” What a sweet honor!

1983

Mayfield introduces its iconic yellow jug. The new opaque jug helps block harmful light rays, protecting the flavor and nutrients in milk.

2000-2009

2003

Snow Cream® frozen dessert debuts in Mayfield markets and quickly becomes a best-selling flavor.

2007

Mayfield introduces Nurture Milk, with active cultures that support immune health and aid in digestion.

2010-Today

2015

Maggie the Cow, the Official Mascot since the 1970s, becomes the spokescow to promote limited edition flavors. Maggie is also a fixture in the community and attends local events.

2017

Mayfield becomes the Official Ice Cream of the Atlanta Braves. Scottie Mayfield throws out the first pitch at the home opener.

2019

In August, Mayfield Visitor Center celebrated its 25th anniversary. Over one million visitors have stopped by since the doors opened.

2020

Purchased by Dairy Farmers of America, a dairy farms cooperative that includes family farms in the community.