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1953The origins of Valdosta Plant Company began in 1953 as Lindsey & Daughtrey Plant Company.
To tell the story of Valdosta Plant Company one must understand the story of Tom Daughtrey. The Daughtrey family has a long history with agriculture that goes back to the 1950s. It begins and ends with a deep love of farming. Tom grew up around, in, and with a passion for working. His love of people started in fields as a young boy.
The early influences on Valdosta Plant Company can be traced to a company started by two brothers, Alex Hendry and James Thomas Daughtrey, Tom’s father. The Lindsey & Daughtrey Plant Company began in 1953. James Thomas “ Buck” Daughtrey was a well-known community leader and farmer in Cook County. Alex Hendry specialized in greenhouse and transplant production. In the early days, most transplants were grown in a barefoot technique.
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This is when seeds are planted at close spacing directly into the field and grown to the transplant stage. Later they are pulled and replanted in the farm field to be grown into mature produce.
Tom Daughtrey grew up working side by side with his father. Tom worked long hours and late nights even as a teenager, missing out on dances and fun, even though that did not stop him from playing football, being popular and well-liked amongst his peers. He was a leader on the football field as well. Tom always had the instinct to do the right thing and to treat everyone, regardless of their station in life, the same. With respect and fairness. This was true of him all of his life
Besides his love of farming, Tom had a mechanical mind. He was always drawing and sketching ideas. He even designed and built his own greens line at seventeen in high school. It is still being used today. He loved doing, taking action, and never sitting still for very long.
Early on, Buck gave him a lot of responsibility and let him make his own mistakes. Tom was managing his own crew and growing his own produce as early as nineteen.
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1973Cecil Farms was established in the location that is now Valdosta Plant Company.
Alex went on his own to start Cecil Farms. He established this to grow bare root transplants and produce in conjunction with the budding greenhouse operation.
In 1983, After Alex had a major heart attack, Tom took a job at Cecil Farms to help his Uncle. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
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1984James T. “Tom” Daughtrey Jr., Buck’s son, purchased and reorganized the company into the Valdosta Plant Company.
Tom sought outside investment at the beginning and grew the small greenhouse and produce company. He traveled up and down the eastern seaboard, from Canada to South Florida. He continuously expanded the number of greenhouses in operation. He landed a pivotal account with Pacific Tomato & Pacific Collier Company. This fruitful partnership lasted for many years. VPC expanded continuously during his time as company president over the next 40 years -
2006James T. “Jake” Daughtrey III officially joined his father in the plant company and later oversaw the daily farming operation, VPC Produce. He was like his father, in that he never made an enemy. He was well liked and treated people with kindness. He looked up to his father in every way. They were big shoes to fill.
Jake was a third-generation farmer who loved his children & family. He loved the outdoors, fly fishing, and being in nature. Jake was an integral part of the company and had a very close relationship with his father.
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2017The plant company was hit by a devastating tornado in 2017.
In the early morning of January 22, Tom rode around surveying the damage as the sun rose. "It took 35 seconds to wipe out what took me 35 years to build." However, nothing stopped Tom. He loved challenges, being the underdog, coming from behind, and solving big and small problems. He took charge immediately and thrived in the chaos of those first few days and weeks. He was the man you wanted in a crisis. Over 75 volunteers showed up to help on the first Monday after the tornado. It speaks to the nature of Tom's relationship with the local farmers, his friends, and the larger community he loved. -
2023The legacy lives on...
2023 was a devastating year personally for VPC. A father and son were lost tragically within 8 days of each other due to sudden illness. However, through the hard work, perseverance, and utmost loyalty of all of the employees, the company carried on through one of the busiest springs on record. The characters of both men live on and are reflected in the fabric of this company—one of integrity, hard work, community, kindness, and generosity of spirit. Valdosta Plant Company will always strive to reflect the true nature of both extraordinary men.
