Middle TN farm may be first to grow this tropical fruit in the Volunteer State

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WSMV) - Settled on 71 acres of farmland in Gallatin, Oak Grove Farms has been growing something unique to Tennessee.

“To our knowledge, these are the first commercially grown pineapples in Tennessee,” Zach Erhard said as he gave our photojournalist a tour through the tall stalks of growing pineapples.

Zach Erhard and his wife, Kyndle, are first-generation farmers who started Oak Grove Farms in 2012. The couple said they grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, but pineapples are their most unique crop.

“We love pineapples, and we thought if they can be grown in Hawaii, why not Tennessee?” the Erhards said. “Honestly, they’re pretty low-maintenance crops. Some people think that the volcanic soil has a lot to do with it.”

They planted the Sugarloaf Pineapple in June 2023 and said it’s unlike any other pineapple.

“It’s a white, fleshy pineapple that is sweeter than anything in a typical grocery store and it doesn’t have a core.”

The core of a pineapple is the tough, fibrous, dark yellow circle that runs through the center of the tropical fruit.

Zach and Kyndle hope to start harvesting their pineapples at the end of August.

“We just planted 4,000 more pineapples to expand because there’s been a lot of interest.”

The total number of pineapples currently growing on the farm is 8,000.

“We are so excited for the community to try it and it’s something different and a unique thing.”

Oak Grove Farms will have them for purchase at their farmers’ market store on West Main Street in Gallatin.

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The future of Oak Grove is much like the pineapples growing on their farm: bright, sweet, and nurturing.

They’re planning to build a permanent grocery store at the 4-acre commercial lot to be able to offer more of their produce to the community. It’s expected to open in 2026.

WSMV4 has requested information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the number of commercial farms producing pineapples in Tennessee.