Tift County was created in 1905 from portions of Berrien County. The County was named for Nelson Tift, who had helped found the city of Albany, served as that city's Mayor, and later as congressman. His nephew founded the city of Tifton in 1872 when he opened a sawmill there. Tift County is known as the Plant Capital of the World, with many plants and vegetables grown here being shipped worldwide for replanting.