Today we’d like to introduce you to James Youngblood.
Hi James, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The idea to start my first business was born in an unlikely place—while sitting in a tent in Afghanistan. I had long been interested in lawn maintenance, and after returning home, I turned that interest into a lawn maintenance company that quickly found success.
While running that business, I came across a Craigslist post from someone nearby who needed help installing 20 pallets of Bermuda sod they had already purchased. I jumped on the opportunity, and the job went smoothly. That single project shifted my focus toward sod installation and ultimately led to the creation of my first installation company, Georgia Sod and Turf.
Georgia Sod and Turf grew rapidly, operating three full-time installation crews and supplying wholesale sod directly to the public. In 2014, I was approached by an associate interested in purchasing the company, and I decided to sell.
In 2015, after my nephew graduated high school and came to me looking for a good-paying, full-time job, I found myself receiving continued calls for sod installation work while consulting. That led to the launch of Atlanta Metro Sod. The original plan was to keep the company small, but demand quickly grew, resulting in two full-time installation crews. I operated Atlanta Metro Sod until 2019, when I exited the installation side of the business due to ongoing challenges with finding and retaining reliable labor.
In 2018, I began noticing a significant disconnect between consumers and small, local sod farms in South Georgia. To bridge that gap, I founded Atlanta Sod Farms LLC. Today, the company operates seven trucks and has access to approximately 750 acres of available sod, creating a direct and reliable connection between growers and customers.
Looking ahead, in 2026 Atlanta Sod Farms will once again offer both commercial and residential sod installation services, bringing the business full circle with a stronger, more scalable foundation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many struggles along the way, financial, health, supply and demand and even theft from someone within but we have always managed to come out on the other side in better shape than we went in.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Atlanta Sod Farms LLC is a farm-direct sod supplier and installation company proudly serving the Atlanta metro area and most of Georgia. We are a veteran-owned, family-oriented business committed to delivering high-quality sod directly from the farm to our customers at true farm-direct prices.
We specialize in grass varieties that are grown locally and fully acclimated to Georgia’s unpredictable weather conditions, ensuring stronger establishment and long-term success. By working closely with trusted local sod farms, we eliminate the middleman and provide fresher product, faster delivery, and better value.
At Atlanta Sod Farms, we take extreme pride in our reputation for doing right by our customers. Our strong online presence and growing social media following reflect our commitment to transparency, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
As we continue to expand our business and brand, we are also increasing our delivery capabilities to better serve both residential and commercial customers. Our goal for 2026 is to have the capacity to cut and deliver up to 200 pallets of sod per day, setting a new standard for efficiency and service in the Georgia sod industry
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The journey hasn’t been easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and the willingness to ask for advice—and more importantly, to listen and apply it. Looking back, I wish I had known in the beginning where this path would lead, because there were many moments, especially in 2012 and again in 2020, when the future felt uncertain. But each time, we pushed forward, adapted, and came out stronger on the other side.
Pricing:
- * Zeon Zoysia $375
- * Emerald Zoysia $335
- *Empire Zoysia $295
- *Tif Tuf Bermuda $235
- *Tall Fescue $265
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atlantasodfarms.com
- Instagram: @atlantasodfarms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568369313394
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-youngblood-2651423a0/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/atlanta-sod-farms-bishop-2?utm_source=ishare
