Meet the Farmer: Travis Grimes
In the heart of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, Travis Grimes is carrying on a rich agricultural legacy that spans four generations with his wife Sally, and their three children, Jax, Tilly, and Collins. Travis farms alongside his older brother, John Grimes, continuing the family’s deep-rooted commitment to farming in their hometown of Dunbar. After earning a degree in Agribusiness Management from NC State University, Travis didn’t hesitate to return to the family farm. Together, they manage a robust row crop operation and raise broiler chickens in partnership with Perdue Farms.
Travis and John are the fourth generation to steward their family's land, focusing primarily on soybeans, wheat, cotton, and corn. While two days on the farm are never quite the same, that’s part of what Travis enjoys most about the farming lifestyle. “One thing I enjoy the most about farm life and the yearly farming cycle is that there is a different job to do as the year progresses,” he says. “Some jobs I certainly enjoy more than others, but throughout the year you will be doing different tasks.” For Travis, farming is more than just a job, it’s a way of life. “It’s a special way of life to be able to raise your family and kids up on a farm,” he says. “It can be, without a doubt, trying at times, but you must have faith. I enjoy raising crops from seed to harvest. There is no better feeling than being able to run a combine through a successfully grown crop.”
Like many farmers, Travis faces ongoing challenges that come with modern agriculture. “The economics of farming, mainly production costs, futures prices, and legislative policies are some of the biggest hurdles,” he says. Still, what keeps him going is a long-term vision to hopefully keep building the farm operation for his children so if they choose the farming lifestyle, it will be here for them.
Travis recently joined the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association in January 2025. His involvement reflects a strong belief in the importance of having farmers' voices heard at both the state and national levels. “It is important to be involved so agriculture has a voice in our state and nationally,” he emphasizes.
Thank you so much, Travis Grimes, for all that you do in farming and for your dedication to the Soybean Board. We truly appreciate your hard work and the time, effort, and passion you put into supporting agriculture in North Carolina
