Generations of the Ives family have provided fresh produce, especially sweet corn, but now the farm’s legacy comes to an end as owner Greg Ives retires.

Ives Gardens, a beloved institution in Jackson County, has officially closed after 125 years of providing fresh produce, especially their renowned sweet corn.

Generations of the Ives family have dedicated themselves to the farm, but current owner Greg Ives has decided it is time to retire and bring the farm’s long legacy to a close.

“I’ve been talking about it for a long time,” said Ives. “I just woke up one morning, and I figured it was time.”

This decision marks the end of a farming era that began in 1898 when Greg’s great-great-grandfather, Edwin Cotton Ives, purchased the property at 4990 Ann Arbor Road.

Edwin grew produce to sell at local markets, a tradition that continued until about 1937 when the original roadside stand was built.

The farm’s roadside stand became a community fixture, initially serving customers who walked up from the road until 1992 when an addition was constructed, allowing patrons to enter the building.

Over the years, Ives Gardens grew a variety of produce on its 120-plus acres, including peppers, zucchini, watermelon, pumpkins, and, most famously, sweet corn.

The business was handed down through the family, from Edwin Cotton Ives to his son Joseph Dexter Ives, and then to Joseph’s son Edwin C. Ives. Greg Ives took over after Edwin’s death in 1989, continuing the family tradition and maintaining the farm’s reputation for quality produce.

“I wanted to keep the tradition going,” he said. Despite Greg’s commitment, changes over the years included the sale of 20 acres in 2009 to Legacy Assisted Living and Legends Alzheimer’s Center, reducing the farm to its current 75 acres.

Ives Gardens not only served as a source of fresh produce but also as a place where community bonds were forged. Family members, including siblings, nieces, and nephews, all played roles in working the farm.

Additionally, students from East Jackson Community Schools gained valuable work experience there, learning the importance of work ethic.

For Greg, managing Ives Gardens was a labor of love alongside his full-time job at the Jackson County Department of Transportation, where he worked for 40 years before retiring.

“It’s in your blood, and you just enjoy growing it, and meeting with customers,” he said. The farm, he noted, transitioned from being the family’s primary livelihood to a side income over the decades.

As Greg steps into retirement, he reflects on what he will miss most about the farm. “I’m going to miss seeing all the kids working the farm, the loyal customers, and my employees,” he said.

The Ives family has received an outpouring of support and reminiscences from the community, particularly on social media.

The farm’s Facebook post announcing the closure has been flooded with comments from people expressing how much they will miss the corn and their visits to the farm.

While the closure of Ives Gardens is bittersweet, Greg looks forward to the future. He plans to spend more time fishing and enjoying quality moments with his wife Connie, their children, and their six grandchildren.

Despite closing the business, Greg has no intention of selling the farm property. It will remain in the family, preserving the land that has been an integral part of their lives for over a century.

“But I’m definitely going to miss just seeing things grow,” Greg admitted, a sentiment that captures the essence of a farmer’s connection to the land.