By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
A single tractor, hay cutter and baler—built on faith, hard work and a lot of sweat—have evolved into Graff Grown, a family-run operation focused on growing hay and forage crops for livestock and wildlife.
Colin and Joy are sixth-generation farmers, but unlike many multi-generation operations, they started from scratch.
“Although my family had stepped away from production agriculture and into agritourism, I felt strongly that God had called me to farm,” Colin said.
That calling started at a young age. At 12 years old, Colin planted his first hay crop on 25 acres of family land, and that early experience became the spark behind the operation the Graffs manage today.
“We say we started from the ground up because we really did,” Colin said. “We didn’t have a lot of land or irrigation. Everything we have now is something we’ve built over time.”
Two years into their marriage, Colin and Joy decided to build their life around farming. Those early years were anything but easy. They lost money in cotton, endured floods and survived one of the worst droughts in Texas history. Yet, they refused to quit.
“If 20- and 19-year-old Colin and Joy could see us now, they would be very proud,” Joy said. “We’ve worked hard to build something we hope our two boys will be proud of one day.”
In 2017, the Graffs installed 270 acres of drip irrigation, which greatly increased their yields until 44 inches of rain flooded their fields and wiped out most of their crop. Still, they managed to bale more than 10,000 bales of hay that year.
Today, the couple farms over 1,000 acres and produces 20,000 to 30,000 bales annually. They grow a mix of forage sorghum, Tifton, coastal bermudagrass, oats and Triticale.
“If it can be wrapped up and put in a bale, we grow it,” Colin said. “Our bales go to exotic ranches, feedlots or anything that eats grass.”
One of the most unique pieces of equipment on their farm is a McHale film-on-film baler—one of only five in the U.S.
“It’s incredible how much time it saves us,” Colin said. “When you can cut hay in the morning and bale that same evening, it changes everything.”
In addition to forage and hay production, the Graffs own a ranch improvement business that specializes in pasture renovation, land clearing and development, and Joy manages their small herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle.
Despite their success, the Graffs face challenges familiar to many Texas farmers and ranchers—urban sprawl, limited water and soaring land prices.
“We joke that whiskey’s for drinking and water is for fighting, because that’s what it’s come down to,” Colin said. “Agriculture is being pushed out by urban development, and every year it gets harder to secure the water we need to stay productive.”
Even so, their faith keeps them steady.
“Since I was a kid, I felt that God put me on this earth to be a farmer,” Colin said. “We’ve had a lot of hardships, but through them, we’ve learned to be efficient and good stewards of God’s land.”
Their two sons, Louis and Layton, enjoy being on the farm and riding along in the tractor.
“We love being on the farm as a family,” Joy said. “If you want to talk about tractors or cows, just ask them, and they will talk your ear off.”
The Graffs are also active in Medina County Farm Bureau, where Colin currently serves as vice president and previously as president. They are also involved in their church and community, supporting local youth agricultural programs.
The Graffs have found another way to connect beyond the fences of their Medina County farm. They use social media to share their story. They want to give their followers a glimpse into both the struggles and rewards of farming and ranching, as well as showcase the family at the heart of their farm.
“Agriculture is our passion, our purpose and our legacy,” Joy said. “We’re not just growing crops. We’re cultivating a legacy for future generations. This isn’t just a job for us. It’s our way of life.”
Watch a video with the Graffs.
Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Contest
The Graffs are finalists in TFB’s 2025 Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Contest.
The contest recognizes young men and women ages 18 to 35 who are involved in agriculture but do not earn their primary income from a farm or ranch enterprise.
Information on the contest and TFB’s YF&R program can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.
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