Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)
Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)

Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country last week to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag.

Hudson and his wife, Samantha Grigg, started their homestead – aptly named “Griggstead” – in Hesperus seven years ago. They rear pasture-raised chickens that produce corn- and soy-free eggs, raise Navajo-Churro sheep and run a production-grade micro-hatchery, according to Kubota.

Samantha’s extended family in Indiana had dairy cows and row crops, and she loved visiting the farm when she was a child. Hudson, Durango-born and raised, said they both grew up in rural areas but never had much experience with farming until they started their homestead.

She said the Kubota tractor is a “godsend” and will make their lives much easier.

The Griggs applied for a grant with the Farmers Veteran Coalition, Kubota and Southwest Ag, which reviewed their business plan and ultimately selected them for a free tractor.

“It’s a real game changer for a small operation like ours,” Hudson said.

The tractor will allow the Griggs to plow the drive up to their farm, compost in greater quantities and haul hay and 500-pound sacks of feed with ease.

Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg greets a customer at the Griggstead vendor’s booth at the Durango Farmers Market’s Second Saturdays on Main Avenue. Grigg rears sheep and chickens and sells about 60 dozen eggs a week at the Bayfield and Durango farmers markets and to James Ranch, Sunnyside Market and Fort Lewis College’s The Old Fort Country Store. He and his wife, Samantha, also sell meat – about 500 broilers a year and about 60 turkeys through James Ranch for Thanksgiving. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)
Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg greets a customer at the Griggstead vendor’s booth at the Durango Farmers Market’s Second Saturdays on Main Avenue. Grigg rears sheep and chickens and sells about 60 dozen eggs a week at the Bayfield and Durango farmers markets and to James Ranch, Sunnyside Market and Fort Lewis College’s The Old Fort Country Store. He and his wife, Samantha, also sell meat – about 500 broilers a year and about 60 turkeys through James Ranch for Thanksgiving. (Christian Burney/Durango Herald)

He said the tractor is the heaviest piece of equipment the couple has acquired, and it would not pencil with their budget if it weren’t for the Geared to Give program. Before receiving the tractor, Hudson said they would have to move 60-pound hay bales and 500 pounds worth of feed in 5-gallon bucket increments.

“We’re not getting any younger and the back savings will be enormous,” he said, eliciting a short laugh from Samantha.

Hudson said he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an air support control officer from 2010 to 2014. According to Kubota, he was deployed to the Philippines, Oman, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Singapore and Kuwait.

Several years ago, he joined the Farmer Veteran Coalition, which offers educational farming resources about taxes, insurance and disaster plans. The coalition has a variety of grants one can apply for.

Hudson said they initially applied for a mobile chicken coop – “a relatively small, inexpensive piece of equipment” – and in doing so decided to apply for the Geared to Give grant, too.

Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)
Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)

The Griggs were chosen from a pool of about 700 applicants from across the country, he said.

Griggstead’s vendor booth can be found at Bayfield and Durango farmers markets.

“One of the nice things is just how open and collaborative a lot of our fellow farmers are as far as just sharing knowledge and lending a hand if it’s ever needed,” he said.

The family turned to farming for several reasons. Hudson said they wanted to provide their 5-year-old son, Ripton, the knowledge of where food comes from, how to grow and how to hunt.

Food shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the need to be independent.

“Remember how scarce eggs were for a time?” Hudson said.

Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)
Hesperus farmer and veteran Hudson Grigg was one of only five recipients across the country to receive a Kubota MX5400 utility tractor through Kubota Tractor Corp.’s Geared to Give program in partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag. (Courtesy of Hudson Grigg)

And then Samantha was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as an “inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract.”

The couple had to be much more conscious of what was in their food, and so they simplified their diet.

“Raising protein in a way that’s low inflammatory,” Samantha said. “The way we do corn-free eggs and raising the chickens out on pasture so your omega contents are the most anti-inflammatory that you can get. Just a huge difference.”

Regenerative farming and environmental consciousness was an inspiration too, Hudson said. They liked the idea of doing something positive for the earth instead of simply taking from it.

Samantha said they are awe-struck at receiving the Kubota tractor.

“Out of 700 people, that somebody else actually believes in our business plan makes all the hard work feel even more important,” she said. “We’re just super grateful.”

Hudson said they are thankful for Kubota, the Farmer Veteran Coalition and Southwest Ag for the support.

“They hosted us out in Coronado at the NASCAR race … and they did an award presentation for Hudson and the other four recipients,” Samantha said. “Super cool. We got to take our first family vacation, too.”

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