Rural Land for Sale in Grainger County, Tennessee

RURAL LAND, FARM ACREAGE, TOMATOES, & WILDLIFE

Nestled in East Tennessee’s rolling foothills below Clinch Mountain, Grainger County features over 87,000 acres in farming, with fields of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beef cattle. Farms range widely in size, often family‑run operations growing tomatoes and greenhouse crops. Historic small towns like Rutledge honor local traditions with annual events and artisan markets. With proximity to Cherokee and Norris Lakes, the county blends working agriculture with rich community and amenity value.

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Why Grainger County TN Land Attracts Buyers

Rural land buyers are drawn to Grainger County for its balance of active farming, outdoor recreation, and cultural roots. With over 87,000 acres in agriculture and deep tomato farming heritage, it's a practical and rewarding area for both homesteaders and larger operations. Cherokee Lake adds access to boating and fishing, while the Clinch Mountain range offers scenic living that doesn't feel isolated. Proximity to Knoxville keeps essentials within reach without sacrificing peace and privacy. Local farm income, though modest per acre, shows a strong base of family farms selling fresh produce, meat, and greenhouse crops directly to markets. The Grainger County Tomato Festival celebrates that connection each summer, giving buyers not just land but a rooted community with decades of history. From waterfront pastureland to upland woods with development potential, the area suits a wide range of land use goals—especially for those wanting access to East Tennessee’s economy without the urban squeeze.

Natural Features That Make Grainger County TN Land Stand Out

Grainger County's land holds more than just farm value—it offers scenery, waterways, and protected habitat. Clinch Mountain cuts through the eastern part of the county, creating elevated homesites and ridge terrain. Cherokee Lake borders much of the south, giving properties direct access to recreation. Creeks and limestone springs provide rare aquatic habitat and good conditions for small-scale irrigation or wildlife enhancement. The county lies within the Ridge-and-Valley region, creating diverse topography and strong regional identity. For buyers, this means land with both working and recreational potential.
Clinch Mountain

This narrow ridge runs through the eastern edge of the county and provides high elevation views and natural privacy. It is known for spring wildflowers and hardwood cover.

Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake forms the southern boundary and offers over 400 miles of shoreline. Properties near the lake benefit from boating, fishing, and development appeal.

Spring-Fed Creeks

Cold, spring-fed streams in the county support aquatic species and add water value for agriculture. These creeks enhance rural land for habitat or livestock use.

Tomatoes, Livestock, and Multi-Use Farmland in Grainger County TN

Grainger County farmland leans heavily on vegetable crops, cattle, and flexible pasturewoodland combinations. The area supports both full-time farms and small-scale homesteads with strong direct-to-market sales. Many landowners use combinations of greenhouse growing, seasonal vegetables, beef or poultry production, and hay for local livestock. The market-friendly climate, along with the area's name recognition for tomatoes, gives even smaller farms a shot at real income. Whether you're looking to lease pasture, grow for farmer's markets, or build agritourism, the land supports it.
Tomato farming in Grainger County
Vegetable Production

Tomatoes are the crown jewel of Grainger County agriculture. Local farms also grow cucumbers, peppers, beans, melons, and strawberries. Some use high tunnels or greenhouses to extend the growing season. Produce is sold locally and regionally, giving landowners steady cash opportunities each season.

Beef cattle grazing
Beef and Grazing Land

Cattle farming earns nearly $6.5 million annually in Grainger County. Pastures and hay fields are common in valley floors and gently sloped acreage. Whether for your own stock or lease, livestock land here is in high demand.

Mixed use farmland
Mixed Use Farms

Landowners often combine wooded acreage, hay ground, and cropland to support diverse income streams. These parcels suit both homesteaders and investors wanting flexible use: lease out fields, run poultry, plant gardens, or develop long term. It’s adaptable land with stable regional demand.

Grainger County TN Wildlife Habitat and Game Species

Wildlife land in Grainger County offers more than the usual quarry. The area supports eastern turkey, bobwhite quail, and an array of migratory birds drawn to lakeshore and wetland edge habitats. Streams carry species of rare mussels and fish, including the threatened spotfin chub. Fields and wooded draws support raptors, amphibians, and snakes native to the limestone valleys. Recreational buyers often find deer and turkey combined with unique regional biodiversity—especially near Clinch Mountain and Cherokee Lake.
Wild turkey
Eastern Turkey

Large tracts of woodland and open field edges make this county solid ground for turkey hunting. Populations remain strong and are managed by TWRA.

Bobwhite quail
Bobwhite Quail

Quail habitat is maintained in patchy, early successional areas. These upland birds offer a rare hunt and benefit from careful land management practices.

Fishing in Cherokee Lake
Fishing

Cherokee Lake is known for crappie, smallmouth bass, and hybrid striped bass. The tailwaters and creek mouths offer quality fishing from spring through fall.

Hawk flying
Raptors and Songbirds

Clinch Mountain and local ridge habitat host hawks, owls, warblers, and tanagers. Birders and hunters alike appreciate the species variety here year-round.

Farming Culture and Community Traditions in Grainger County TN

Grainger County blends agricultural identity with an active cultural calendar. The Tomato Festival every July isn’t just about produce—it includes classic cars, live music, craft booths, and a wildly popular “Tomato War.” Family farms set up booths with heirloom tomatoes and homegrown canned goods. Local markets run strong in Rutledge and Blaine, where buyers can meet growers face to face. Artisans, beekeepers, and homesteaders all have a seat at the table. With roots in 1796, the area keeps its heritage alive through events, churches, and cooperative extension programs. For buyers looking for land that comes with real community, this is where East Tennessee still feels like home.

Land Near Grainger County: Nearby TN Counties to Watch

Rural buyers looking in Grainger County often expand their search to nearby counties that share access to the Holston River, Clinch Mountain, or Knoxville commuter routes. These counties offer overlapping agricultural patterns and recreational amenities.
Hamblen County

Offers good cropland and direct access to Cherokee Lake. Morristown provides services for rural owners nearby.

Hawkins County

Features ridge timberland and pasture. Located just north of Grainger with access to Clinch River headwaters.

Jefferson County

Borders Cherokee Lake to the south. Good access to I-40 and farm markets in Dandridge and White Pine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which crops dominate Grainger County farmland most?

Local farmers focus heavily on fresh-market vegetables—especially tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, squash, corn, strawberries, and watermelons. Tomato sales alone placed the county in the top 10 in Tennessee, and many growers add greenhouse floriculture.

What livestock operations are common here?

Beef cattle lead livestock sales (about $6.4 million in 2017), supported by smaller operations for sheep, goats, horses, poultry, hogs, and dairy. Ranches often supply local markets or butcher shops.

Are there niche or rare wildlife species in the county?

Yes. The federally threatened spotfin chub lives in regional streams, along with rare freshwater mussels like the shiny pigtoe, which is native to middle and upper Tennessee river systems

What non-deer wildlife opportunities exist?

Beyond whitetail deer, hunters and watchers find turkey, raptors, waterfowl on Norris and Cherokee Lakes, amphibians in small streams, and a variety of reptiles in limestone creek habitats. TWRA lists bobwhite quail and striking songbirds among watchable wildlife in the region.

What historical or regional features add buyer appeal?

Established in 1796, Grainger’s towns—Rutledge, Blaine, Bean Station—retain historic architecture and community events. The county’s blend of summer festivals, artisan markets, and access to Great Smoky Mountains make it attractive to buyers seeking rural heritage and lifestyle.

How does Grainger connect to scenic features and recreation?

Clinch Mountain forms a scenic backdrop, while Cherokee and Norris Lakes offer boating, fishing, swimming, and waterside living. The county lies along the East Tennessee Crossing Scenic Byway, adding rural charm and visual appeal.

Explore Land Opportunities in Nearby Counties

Tutt Land Company offers a wide range of properties in neighboring counties. Whether you're interested in hunting land, timber tracts, or rural homesites, our extensive portfolio has something to suit your needs. Explore our current listings in nearby counties to find the perfect property for you.

Sell Your Land in Tennessee? Let Tutt Land Do the Heavy Lifting

Whether you're selling pastureland in Bedford County, timber acreage in Wayne, a poultry farm in Giles, or hunting property in Hardeman—Tutt Land Company has you covered. With 80+ years of experience buying, managing, and marketing rural land across Tennessee, we specialize in turning local properties into statewide opportunities.

We showcase your land across high-traffic platforms—from YouTube and social media to print advertising and top national land listing networks. Our marketing strategy targets qualified buyers searching for everything from mini farms and investment tracts to equestrian estates and raw acreage.

List your Tennessee land with Tutt Land and get the exposure, expertise, and energy your property deserves.

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Step into a career where wide-open spaces mean wide-open potential. As a land professional with Tutt Land Company, you’ll join a team that’s been buying and selling rural property across the Southeast for over 80+ years—specializing in timber tracts, hunting land, farms, and large acreage parcels.

Whether you're helping a landowner sell a legacy farm in Giles County or guiding a buyer to their first hunting property in Hardeman, you’ll have the backing of an experienced team, industry-best marketing, and a trusted name in land sales.

So whether you're shouting Go Vols!, singing Rocky Top, chanting Let’s Go Tigers! in Memphis, yelling Go Mocs!, backing the Govs Up!, echoing Go Bucs Go! in Johnson City, or cheering on Maryville Rebels and Oakland Patriots under the Friday night lights—if Tennessee land is in your blood, Tutt Land is where you belong.

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