Donor Profiles
Mayfield Family Honors Father and Leader, Creates Scholarship
Innovation is something the Mayfield family knows. Their name has always been synonymous with quality dairy production in Tennessee, but it was the groundbreaking innovations led by Tom Mayfield that helped make Mayfield Dairy Farms an industry leader. Now the family is breaking ground again by giving $200,000 to the Institute of Agriculture to establish the Thomas B. Mayfield Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will support students pursuing food science degrees at the University of Tennessee.
Tom Mayfield was born on the family farm in McMinn County in 1919. After graduating from McMinn County High School, Tom followed in his father’s footsteps and began studying dairy science at UT. Tom returned home early after the loss of his father to help run the dairy. During World War II, Tom became a Navy aviator and flight instructor. He returned home after the war to resume family creamery and dairy operations with brother C. Scott Mayfield, Sr. Tom aspired to give the consumer the best possible milk. By doing so, Mayfield helped modernize the U.S. dairy industry.
Through a series of savvy innovations, Tom’s leadership propelled Mayfield Dairy Farms to one of the most respected milk and ice cream brands in the country. Mayfield was the first dairy in the U.S. to add a vacuum system that assured pure and fresh-tasting milk. Another first came when Mayfield started making and filling its own jugs in a continuous operation. They were also the first in the country to add acidophilus and bifidum cultures to make milk easily digestible. And, of course, Mayfield is well known for their ice cream. With Tom’s help, Mayfield Dairy pioneered a number of innovations that led Time Magazine to name Mayfield’s ice cream the “World’s Best Ice Cream” in 1981.
Tom retired as president of Mayfield Dairy Farms when the company was sold to Dean Foods Co. in January 1990, but his influence as a community leader has not diminished. Along with his milk and ice cream successes, Tom has led many organizations and remained active in the community. He has served as president of the International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers, Southern Association of Dairy Food Manufacturers, and the Tennessee Dairy Products Association. He helped organize the Chamber of Commerce of Athens and was their first president. He has also been active in the Athens Kiwanis Club and Keith Memorial United Methodist Church.
Like his commitment to family, business, and community, Tom has also maintained his relationship with UT. Tom served UT over the years through service on the Alumni Board of Governors and the Institute of Agriculture Alumni Council. In 1982, he was presented the Chancellor’s Award for his service to UT. According to Rob Mayfield, Tom’s son and Mayfield’s current vice president of technical services, “Dad always viewed his education at UT and the help he received from the university over the years as instrumental to his success.”
Now the Mayfields are happy to help UT students achieve their own success through the scholarship. “The Mayfield family is a perfect example of the rewards that dedication and innovation can make in agriculture and for higher education,” said Dennis Jones, director of planned giving, “We’re lucky to have them as friends and supporters, helping develop the next generation of agricultural leaders in Tennessee through this generous gift.”