Living Jackson Magazine

Photo Essay by Shannon Jackson
Story by Caine Campbell

Say “Ice Cream Parlor” and see who is the first one to get in the car!

Say “Mayfield Dairy Farms” and we’ll all be eager to see the gigantic cow.

Say “Free Tour” and all will go along, but somebody in the crowd has got to buy us a scoop or two of ice cream.

All at one place, on Hwy. 124, one-and-a-third miles from the intersection with Hwy. 53 in Braselton, you’ll find the ice cream parlor, Mayfield Dairy Farm and the free tour.

Joshua and Zachary found it, and found the cow!

On the free tour you’ll see firsthand how Mayfield produces the South’s favorite milk, as did this group from Oakwood Ministries Kidz Kamp. Visitors can get the inside scoop on the quality of dairy products and how the famous yellow Mayfield jugs are made. If you plan to take a school, church or scout group, call the Visitor Center for a reservation, at 706-654-9180 or 888-790-2347 Ext. 324.

Each day 1,000 to 1,400 guests come by for the free tour, or scoops of ice cream, or shopping for souvenirs and novelties. Looking after it all and making guests feel welcome is Dawn Thompson, visitor center coordinator. The manufacturing facility in Braselton is Mayfield’s newest, a 70,000-square-foot facility located on 20 acres that produces 150,000 gallons of whole, 2%, skim, chocolate and other best-selling milk products daily.

Just before press time, consumers had cast their votes and named blueberry cream pie as their favorite Mayfield ice cream flavor. This favorite will be added to the regular line-up. Voters were choosing among these other candidates: triple brownie, peanut butter cookie dough, and extreme moose tracks. In the photo, Al Underwood is serving a scoop of one customer’s favorite!

A visitor named Ryann enjoys her own favorite flavor at the manufacturing facility in Braselton. Now a Jackson County landmark, Mayfield Dairy Farms began as Live Oak Farms in McMinn County, Tenn., in the late 1800s, owned by Thomas B. Mayfield, Sr. Fourth generation Mayfields are currently involved in the operation of the company.