North Florida Sod Producers Since 2005
Tater Farms is a multi-generational, family-owned farm with deep roots in the heart of Hastings, Florida. Founded in the mid-1970s by Frank and Polly Johns, the farm began with staple crops like potatoes and cabbage—laying the foundation for what would become a legacy of innovation, hard work, and stewardship of the land.
In 2005, Tater Farms planted its first crop of turfgrass—a pivotal shift that redefined the farm’s future. What started with a single field has grown into more than 4,000 acres of premium, improved turfgrass varieties, making sod the core of our operation. Today, we supply high-performance turf for athletic fields, commercial developments, and large-scale landscapes across Florida.
After Frank Johns’ passing in 2014, Polly Johns remained a guiding force in preserving the farm’s mission. Under the leadership of Eric Hjort, President of Tater Farms, and Carleton Johns, Vice President and son of Frank and Polly Johns, the farm has successfully entered its next chapter while staying true to the values that shaped its legacy.
In recent years, we’ve expanded our agricultural footprint into citrus production, carefully cultivating new groves of Noble Juicy Crunch™ Tangerines—a premium variety known for its exceptional sweetness, easy peel, and vibrant flavor. This move reflects our commitment to diversification and sustainability, as we apply the same care, precision, and long-term vision to citrus as we have to turfgrass. With each season, our groves continue to grow, strengthening Tater Farms’ role in Florida’s proud citrus tradition.
Through every season and crop, our mission remains the same:
To provide our customers with the highest quality products, backed by dependable service and a genuine commitment to satisfaction.
50 Years of Growing
1975-2005 Potatos & Cabbage
Tater Farms was founded in 1975 by potato farmer, Frank Johns. His wife, Polly Johns, joined the farm in the early years, bringing heart, determination, and a shared vision that helped shape the farm into what it is today.
2005-2011 Potatos & Turfgrass
In 2006, Eric Hjort joined #TeamTater as General Manager to help grow our turfgrass operations. On March 16th, 2006, Tater Farms harvested our first pallet of grass.
2011-2018 Turfgrass
2014 was an eventful year for Tater Farms. We expanded our services to include in-house delivery and invested in our first automated sod harvester - the FireFly Automatix ProSlab.
In April of 2014, Frank Johns passed away after a 6-year battle with ALS. We honor him by carrying forward his commitment to quality, community, and the farm he poured his heart into.
2018-present Turfgrass & Citrus
In 2018, Tater Farms converted 35 acres of turfgrass into citrus groves and began growing Noble’s Juicy Crunch Tangerines. Under Carleton Johns' leadership, we have successfully scaled our citrus production to several hundred acres — and growing!
Our turfgrass operation remains one of the most respected in the region — built on decades of experience, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality.
Ready to Join #TeamTater
At Tater Farms, we’re always looking for hardworking, passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you're ready to be part of something lasting, we’d love to have you on the team.