Tried & True

“I’m very passionate about the hay, because that’s how I take care of my cows.”   

When it comes to cattle, Ron Dugger has been there and done that – he’ll tell you he’s in the grass business. He runs a herd of Hereford cattle and raises commercial cattle alongside his hay operation....
Like all cattlemen, he’s been tried and tested by the industry. He knows the challenges that come with mediating costs and making an operation cash flow. He’s checked cows in the bitter cold of winter and nicked his fingers fixing fences in the Alabama summer heat.

“I’ve used that equipment, and I know that equipment.”  

As a sales professional at the Jasper location, he sees his firsthand knowledge of John Deere products as a direct benefit to customers. Whether it’s a hay baler or a commercial zero turn, Ron’s extensive experience with the John Deere lineup gives him a personal stake in finding the exact right equipment to get the job done for customers.

And because he’s felt the pressure of an incoming rainstorm in the middle of baling hay, he understands the urgency cattlemen feel when they need their dealer.

“We’re here to provide solutions to our customers and it excites me that we truly are dedicated to that.”  

“It’s always been like one big family. We’ve always been really good about helping one another and making sure that everybody thrives.”  

The nursery business isn’t quite in Davey Britton’s blood, but it’s just about everywhere else in his life. His family is part of Warren County Nursery – one of the many nurseries that make Warren County, Tennessee the nursery capital of the world....

From early involvement loading and unloading trees to his current work supporting nursery sales, he’s seen all aspects of the nursery business. And he’s experienced firsthand the strong nursery community.     

“We keep these guys going, because it’s the lifeblood of the county.”  

Davey puts his background to work supporting nursery businesses and other construction customers at the McMinnville, Tennessee TriGreen location. He’s used the equipment firsthand and felt the pressure of getting product into a customer’s hands in a timely fashion. He knows what customers expect from their dealer and knows the right questions to ask to find the right equipment fit.  

“By knowing the ins and outs of that industry, I can really cater to the customers.”  

“We believe if we sow it, the Good Lord will take care of us.”  

Father and son farming duo Bryan and Greg Barton make a good team raising corn, soybeans, and hay. Greg says his dad does the budgeting, and he does the imagining of what the farm will be someday....

Greg’s first year back on the farm after college included a drought that forced him to watch his corn melt under the summer heat. Bryan has seen the farm change with time – even moving with the establishment of Normandy Lake. 

The pair have seen good years and bad, but both would tell you that there’s something special about watching the crops you planted grow. And just like Bryan raised Greg around the farm, Greg is raising four young kids to be patient, work hard, and maybe someday come back and farm, too.  

“Every customer’s got a different situation, personalities and backgrounds. Going through some of those challenging situations helps you understand the position they’re coming from when they have a need.”  

The Barton family’s experience goes back over 50 years. Bryan’s dad started a John Deere dealership in Manchester, Tennessee in 1969. Greg is the third generation of Bartons to work in the business. Someday, his four young sons may be the fourth.  Bryan and Greg have both worked in many aspects of the dealership, from delivering lawn mowers to working in parts and service.

Bryan and Greg have both served as store managers, supporting customers with their property and agricultural pursuits.   Greg knows that TriGreen’s strength lies in the resources and depth of knowledge accumulated across locations and decades in the John Deere business. He’s confident he can provide great service to customers because even if he doesn’t know the answer, someone in TriGreen will.  

“A store manager, to me, has a main goal of keeping a team focused on a customer’s goals and priorities. We have a top notch product, and we need to supply top notch service and support.”