Finks Mill one of the last remaining operational stone ground grist mills in the Southeast.

Farmers come for miles to have their corn stone ground

Many years ago, grist mills were in most communities, as local farmers brought their corn or grains to be ground for selling or personal use.

Over the years, with the influx of large commercial operations that produce meal for the masses buy creating ready-to-eat mix, the local mills have declined to only a few surviving across the United States. These few mills cater to farmers bringing their corn to be stone ground, mostly for their own consumption.

Just past Gaskin, on the Walton County, Fla., Geneva/Covington, Ala. border you will find one of the last remaining operational stone grist mills in the Southeastern United States, Finks Mill.

The mill was originally built in 1932, and passed through two hands until the Fink family took over in the early 1950s. The mill is currently operated by Rodney Fink and owned by his father, Quin.

Cornmeal ground as fine as you like at Finks Mill.

Originally run by water turbines driven Natural Bridge Creek, the mill is now generated by an old tractor engine, as the water turbines were damaged during a flood several years ago, and never repaired.

Finks Mill caters to farmers across the Southeast, some traveling many miles to reap the benefits of having their corn stone ground. Such was the case on Dec. 10, as Leon Clyatt, a farmer from Chiefland, Fla. drove more than 300 miles to have his corn stone ground.

“There is nothing like it,” Leon quipped, “it just tastes better than anything out there on the store shelves,” he continued.

Currently the mill processes about 8,000 lbs of corn during its short operating season. The mill is open from Sept. – Dec. on Mondays and Tuesdays, or by special appointment.

For more information, call Rodney Fink at 334-504-2231.

Posted under Home/Garden