Discover the History of Sharp and Sharp Certified Seed

The story of Sharp and Sharp Certified Seed is not just about agriculture; it is a tale of resilience, innovation, and a deep-rooted connection to the land.

The Origins of Sharp and Sharp Seed Farm

Sharp and Sharp was established in 1948 by Don Carlos Sharp, Jr., (1919-2001) a World War II veteran and agronomy graduate from Clemson University and his wife, Camille Lawton Cunningham (1921-2006). Built on land that had been in Camille’s family since at least 1801, the farm started as a modest plot of land, primarily focusing on traditional farming methods.

After graduating from Clemson University on the G.I. Bill, Don C. Sharp Jr. moved to Allendale with Camille and their two young children. He had never farmed but quickly learned the importance of caring for the land. In the early 1950's, he took out a loan to purchase a seed cleaner. He could then clean his own seed as well as seed for other farmers. The purchase also allowed him to break into the relatively new certified seed market.

Don C. Sharp Jr. (holding son, Don C Sharp III) and Camille Lawton Cunningham Sharp (holding daughter) sit on the front steps of their farm home in 1948. The house and land had been vacant for over a decade.

An inside view of the shed that held the first seed cleaner purchased by Don C. Sharp Jr. (1950)

In 1970, after graduating from Clemson University, Don C. Sharp III joined the family business. The farm expanded in acreage and productivity as the family worked to improve their skills. Three years later, tradegy struck. In the middle of the night, a spark from a Coke machine started a fire in the shed. It spread quickly to the other sheds, which housed the cleaning equipment and seed as well as tractors and harvesting equipment. By the time the family saw the flames, it was too late. With the help of the fire department, the Sharps were able to keep the fire away from the house. At sunrise, the extent of the damage was visible -- the farm had been reduced to ashes.

This was taken the morning after the fire. (September 1973)

They spent the next few months cleaning up the debris. Thankfully, they carried insurance on the cleaning equipment. However, the seed in the sheds and most of the tractors were uninsured. Insurance money made it possible for them to replace the cleaner, and over time, they rebuilt their equipment inventory. Over the years, the family expanded their operations, introducing new crops and innovative farming techniques.

Sheds, equipment, and other items needed to operate had to be replaced after the fire. It took years to become fully operational again. Over time, the farm continued to grow. (1989)

Don C. Sharp III married in 1981 and he and his wife welcomed a son (Carl) in 1982 and a daughter (Rachael) in 1987. The farm made it through the tough times of the 1980's, and the Sharps became respected seed producers throughout the southeast. Don Sharp Jr. passed away in 2001 and Camille followed in 2006.

Don Sharp III continued as the solo "Sharp" in Sharp and Sharp until 2015, when his daughter, Rachael, returned to the farm. The farm continues to evolve, but the love for the land and for family remain constant. (A side note: Rachael graduated from The University of Georgia and is a die-hard bulldog. Don continues to root for the Clemson Tigers. This makes their farm office an exciting place to be during college football season!)

Today, the father-daughter duo operate Sharp and Sharp Certified Seed.

Don and Rachael troubleshoot issues with the combine during the 2025 harvest season. (Thank you, OpenAI for the photo!)