- A view of wheat 

For those associated with agriculture, the name ”Jimmy Sanders” is well known throughout the Mid-south. In fact, even for those not involved in the business, his name is still recognized as one who built one of the most respectable businesses in the Mid-South. Although Jimmy Sanders passed away in 1998, his name and legacy continues.

Founded in Cleveland, Mississippi, in 1953 Jimmy Sanders, Inc. has become one of the leading farm supply distribution businesses in the Mid-south with locations in four states. The company is multifaceted in it's operations which include agricultural chemical distribution, seed production and sales, bulk handling of fertilizer, the exporting of grains, variable rate technology, and other agronomic services. Jimmy Sanders, Inc. has been a good friend to Mid-south farmers since 1953 and has contributed significantly to the area and the economy.

A native of Tippo, Mississippi, Jimmy Sanders came to Cleveland to attend college at Delta State. He began his career as a bookkeeper for the Goyer Company. This job was interrupted by World War II during which he served in the Air Force. After the war, Jimmy Sanders returned to Cleveland working for Russell-Heckel Seed Co. based in Memphis. In 1953, at 40 years of age, Jimmy Sanders decided it was time to start his own farm supply company. The business was named Jimmy Sanders Seed Company and was housed in a rented warehouse. As the business grew, in 1957, Jimmy Sanders built his first grain elevator and named it Sanders Elevator Corp. In 1964, Jimmy Sander's son, Mike,  returned from college to help his father manage the company. That year another corporation, Cleveland Chemical Company, was formed as the wholesale distribution arm and as a formulator of pesticides. As the company grew, in the early seventies, the first branch in Hollandale Mississippi was built and the first location outside Mississippi, called Cleveland Chemical of Arkansas, was established in Wynne, Arkansas in 1974.

In 1979 Sanders Elevator built an elevator facility at the Port of Rosedale. In the early 1980’s, Jimmy Sanders Seed Co. built its first bulk dry and liquid fertilizer facility at the Port of Rosedale. These expansions were instrumental in allowing the company to expand it's markets by gaining access to the Mississippi River and becoming less dependant on trucking and rail. With the distribution components in place, Jimmy Sanders Seed Co. gradually added outlets throughout the Mid-south and now has over 35 Jimmy Sanders, Inc. branches spread over Mississippi, Northeast Arkansas, Western Tennessee and the boot heel of Missouri.

In December of 1995, Jimmy Sanders Seed Co., Cleveland Chemical Co., Sanders Elevator Corp., and Cleveland Chemical Co. of Arkansas were merged into Jimmy Sanders, Inc.. Jimmy Sanders founded his company based on the principles of integrity and hard work. These are the bedrock principals that Jimmy Sanders, Inc. will strive to maintain far into the 21st century.