Danny Federico
reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Greg Hicks, UF/IFAS Hamilton County Extension Director, announced the 2023 Outstanding Farm Family of the Year during the Tuesday, Sept. 19, Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Zachary Deas manages his family's 2,650-acre farm alongside his dad, uncle and cousins, where they have been farming for four generations. Deas Brothers Farms is known for cultivating 500 acres of field corn, 1,000 acres of peanuts and 100 acres of small grain oats. They also maintain the largest beef cattle herd in the county, with around 700 crossbreed replacement heifers being raised each year. During the winter season, they feed their cattle with peanut hay and small grain crops.
"Zach, as well as other family members of the Deas Brother Farms, are known for the quality of product they grow, as well as for their adoption of innovative practices," said Hicks. "Besides in Hamilton County, Zach and the Deas Brothers are very active supporters of agriculture in the state and the nation. They are proactive participants of the Farm Bureau, UF Extension Service and the Cattlemen's Association. Zach is a Hamilton County Farm Bureau board member and serves on the UF Extension Hamilton County Ag Advisory Committee."
Lifelong residents of Hamilton County, Zach and his wife of seven years, Hannah, reside near Jennings with their two children: Hudson (2) and Britton (1 month). They are active members of Bright Pond Baptist Church.
Zach received his Bachelor's Degree in Diversified Agriculture from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia, where he also played baseball. On the other hand, Hannah attended Valdosta State University, where she earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Currently, she works as a speech-language pathologist for Hamilton County Elementary School, Corinth Christian Academy, and the Columbia County School District. Apart from farming, Zach is actively involved in raising and training cow dogs, while Hannah runs a boutique named Sugar Cane Designs.
The inscription on the plaque Hicks presented to Zach and Hannah reads:
"The Zach Deas Family is a highly respected and hardworking family whose roots run deep in Hamilton County. We are honored to present them as the 2023 Hamilton County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year."