Special to IFN

Grayhouse Farms Inc. of Stony Point has been named recipient of the 2025 Marvin E. Senger Distinguished Dairy Farmer of the Year Award.

The award was presented at the N.C. Dairy Appreciation Dinner, which was held recently at Westward Farms. This award was established by the Department of Animal Science at N.C. State University in 1974 to honor Dr. Marvin E. Senger, a highly respected dairy extension specialist in the department.

This award is presented annually to an outstanding dairy leader, family, or farm business. Winners are selected based on leadership in dairy, agricultural and other community organizations; leadership in business and production management practices; and leadership in the use of technology.

Reid and Peggy Gray started Grayhouse Farms in 1966 when he left the partnership with his brothers. He leased a farm to milk his cows until his dairy barn, a double three and freestalls, were built, moving there in 1968. Only seven years later on that same property, a double eight herringbone milk barn and freestall barns were constructed. The milking herd stayed around 150 cows for many years.

Andy and later Jimmy returned to the farm. The dairy grew, and in 1999 the addition of a steel 200-cow freestall barn was added. Other modifications were made and the milking herd continued to grow. By 2016, there were around 350 in the milking herd. The dairy was over 40 years old and had served the farm well, but the herd’s production was being limited by the facilities. Jimmy and Andy knew to be competitive and stay in dairy farming, a more efficient, cow-comfort oriented operation was needed.

Construction on the new dairy, about one and a half miles away from the old dairy, was started in April of 2017. The operation moved to the new facility in August of 2018. The design of the new dairy has greatly improved milk production. Cow-comfort features include sand bedding, barn spacing for improved ventilation, fans and sprinklers, rubber mats at the feed bunk and travel lanes. The milk parlor is a parallel double 20, but can very easily be expanded to a double 28. The design also has a plan for a future fourth freestall barn that could increase the present capacity of 1,250 to 1,700. Andy and Amy’s daughters, Rachel and Laurel, have joined Grayhouse Farms and are making a great impact. Jimmy and Amanda’s son, John, plans to join the farm after graduation this December.

Grayhouse has opened their operation to host many tours and events, including:
• Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat;
• Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Young Cooperators;
• NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission;
• National Mastitis Council;
• Innovation Center for US Dairy;
• Southwest Virginia Dairy Farmers;
• Statesville Chamber of Commerce;
• NC Dairy Appreciation Dinner;
• Collegiate Dairy Challenge;
• Wildlife Habitat and Forestry Management Field Day; and
• 4-H and FFA practices for land/soil judging and dairy judging

Grayhouse has received the following honors:
• US Dairy Innovation Center National Dairy Farm Sustainability Award (2022);
• Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Farm Family of the Year(2021);
• Iredell Farm City Week Farmer of the Year (Andy and Jimmy) (2014); and
• NC Western Region Soil and Water Conservation Farm Family of the Year (2012)

Andy has been very active with Farm Bureau:
• President Iredell Farm Bureau (2011-2014)
• NC Farm Bureau Achievement Award (2000)
• NC Dairy Youth Foundation Board
• Member of NC Dairy Alliance Board
• Andy, Rachel and Laurel volunteer with the state dairy judging event.

Jimmy has been active with Soil and Water Conservation:
• Board Supervisor for 22 years and chairman for 17 years
• State Water Resource Chairman (2010-2016)
• NC Supervisor of the Year (2014) and
• US Wildlife Federation Representative for NC to lobby on behalf of the Conservation Section of the Farm Bill in Washington DC (2024)
• Governor’s Conservation Sportsman of the Year Award (2009)

Jimmy and Amanda, along with many volunteers, have hosted Youth Day at Grayhouse Farms for 23 years. Youth are able to participate in 10 stations including fishing, canoeing, shooting archery, BB plink, slingshot, etc. The day wraps up with a hayride, cookout, door prizes and recognition for their outstanding efforts. It is always a fun day in the great outdoors.