If you’ve spent any time in Chatsworth, Georgia, you’ve probably driven past that low-slung building on North 2nd Avenue without a second thought. To a city person, it’s just a place that sells bags of dirt. But for the folks who actually live here, Murray Feed and Seed—officially known as Murray County Feed & Seed Inc.—is basically the heartbeat of the local agricultural scene.
It’s one of those rare spots that hasn't been swallowed whole by a corporate conglomerate. Honestly, in 2026, finding a family-owned shop that’s been around since 1987 and still knows your name is like finding a needle in a haystack.
People often assume these old-school feed stores are just for "real" farmers with hundreds of acres and a fleet of tractors. That’s the first big mistake. While they definitely handle the heavy lifting for cattle ranchers, this place is just as much for the suburbanite trying to keep their lawn from dying or the person who just bought three chickens and has no idea what they’re doing.
Why Murray Feed and Seed Still Matters
The internet didn't kill the local feed store. If anything, it made it more important. You can order a bag of grain on Amazon, sure, but Amazon won’t tell you why your horse is suddenly acting lethargic or which specific seed mix will actually grow in North Georgia’s stubborn red clay.
At Murray Feed and Seed, the value isn’t just in the physical product; it’s the institutional memory. When you walk in, you’re talking to people who understand the local climate cycles and the pests that are currently migrating through the county. They’ve seen the droughts and the floods.
Small Engine Repair: The Secret Weapon
Most people don't realize that Murray County Feed & Seed is an authorized Husqvarna dealer. That’s huge. If your zero-turn mower decides to quit halfway through a Saturday afternoon, you aren't stuck waiting for a shipping label. They do small engine repair right there. It’s a specialized skill that’s dying out, but having a local shop that can actually fix a carburetor instead of telling you to buy a new machine is a massive win for the wallet.
- Lawn Equipment: They carry the heavy-duty stuff—chainsaws, robotic mowers (yes, even in Chatsworth), and blowers.
- The Workshop: Repairing Husqvarna and other major brands is a core part of their daily grind.
- Expertise: They aren't just reading from a manual; they’re hands-on.
What You’ll Actually Find Inside
It’s a mix of smells: sweet grain, fresh-cut wood, and that faint metallic scent of machinery. They stock a massive variety of animal nutrition products. We’re talking everything from basic scratch grains for backyard poultry to high-end supplements for performance horses.
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I’ve seen people come in for Mad Barn supplements—things like Omneity pellets or Visceral+ for gut health. These aren't just "filler" feeds. They are high-spec nutrients for people who take their livestock seriously. If you’re looking for Producer’s Pride or specific sweet textured feeds, they usually have the 50lb bags stacked and ready.
The Seasonal Shift
The inventory changes with the weather. In the spring, the place is buzzing with gardeners looking for heirloom seeds and vegetable starts. By the time fall rolls around, the focus shifts to deer corn and food plot mixes for hunting season. It’s a rhythmic business.
- Spring: Seeds, fertilizers, and new power equipment for the first mow.
- Summer: Pest control and hydration supplements for livestock.
- Fall: Heating pellets (they carry the 40lb bags of hardwood wood fuel pellets) and winterizing supplies.
- Winter: Heavy-duty feed and maintenance for indoor equipment.
Addressing the "Moldy Feed" Rumors
Let’s be real for a second. If you look at online reviews for almost any feed store that’s been open for forty years, you’ll find a complaint about a bad bag of feed. It happens. Grains are organic products. If a bag sits in a humid warehouse or gets a tiny pinhole during shipping, mold can move in.
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The difference with a place like Murray Feed and Seed is how they handle it. A big-box store will give you a blank stare and ask for a receipt you lost three weeks ago. A local owner knows that a bad bag of feed can make an animal sick, and they usually make it right immediately because their reputation in a small town is everything. Honestly, their customer service ratings usually hover around a 9 out of 10 for a reason.
Not Just for Chatsworth
While the physical store is firmly planted in Chatsworth, GA, its influence stretches across the county line. You’ll see trucks from all over the region backed up to the loading dock.
It’s worth noting that "Murray Feed" is a common name. You might find a "Murray Seed Co" online that focuses purely on heirloom tomato seeds, or "Murray McMurray Hatchery" in Iowa which is the go-to for baby chicks. Those are different entities. Our Murray is the brick-and-mortar cornerstone of the Chatsworth community.
Practical Insights for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind. They aren't open on Sundays. That’s a classic small-town rule—Sunday is for rest. On Saturdays, they usually close a bit earlier, around 4:00 PM, so don't roll up at dusk expecting to get a pallet of mulch.
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Actionable Steps for Locals:
- Check the repair backlog: If you need your mower serviced before the spring rush, take it in during January or February. By April, the waitlist is usually miles long.
- Bulk Buying: Ask about ton-pricing for feed. If you have a large herd, buying by the pallet can save you a significant percentage compared to individual bags.
- Soil Testing: Before you dump $500 worth of fertilizer on your lawn, ask them about soil testing. They can often guide you on how to get your dirt analyzed so you aren't wasting money on nutrients your soil already has.
- Call Ahead: If you’re looking for a specific part for a Husqvarna saw, call (706) 695-7490 first. They can check the inventory so you don't waste the drive.
At the end of the day, Murray Feed and Seed represents a brand of business that is slowly disappearing. It’s built on technical knowledge, physical labor, and a deep connection to the land. Whether you're a professional farmer or just someone trying to keep their Golden Retriever fed, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why local expertise will always beat a generic algorithm.
Stop by the shop on North 2nd Avenue next time you're in town. Even if you don't need a tractor fixed, grab a bag of birdseed or some high-quality dog food. Supporting these local anchors is the only way they stay around for another forty years.