The Coffee County Young Farmers, a chartered chapter of the Georgia Young Farmers Association, recently recognized local producers, agriculture business professionals and students for their involvement in the local Young Farmer Program and commitment to advancing the Agriculture industry in Coffee County, Georgia and around the United States. All nominees and recipients were nominated and then voted on by members of the Coffee County Young Farmer Chapter.
Recipients are as follows:
Farm Family of the Year- Tyler and Dustin Deen
Tyler is a 4th generation row-crop farmer, growing primarily strip-till cotton and peanuts with corn in the mix. He is also involved in my family’s blackberry farming operation. He has lived and worked on his family’s farming operation his whole life. His wife Dustin is a Registered Nurse. She is currently working at Citizens Christian Academy as their school nurse. Their girls range in ages 2-13 years old.
Farmer of the Year – Chase Grantham
Chase farms alongside his family in Coffee and Atkinson County. Chase has been a full time farmer for the last ten years after graduating Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College with a degree in Diversified Agriculture. He predominantly grows cotton, peanuts and corn. He raises broiler chickens for Pilgrim’s and owns a commercial herd of beef cows. Chase serves on the local Farm Service Agency Committee, where he serves and represents his area in Coffee County.
Cattlemen of the Year – Jordan Farabow
Farabow Angus is a family owned operation that focuses on raising and marketing quality Angus cattle with the commercial cattlemen in mind. Farabow Angus is owned and operated by Jordan Farabow, wife Jessica daughter Everlee and soon to be baby boy, Tucker. Jordan and his family manage over 150 head of brood cows (90 commercial and 60 registered cows). They utilize artificial insemination, embryo transfer and genomic testing to rapidly increase the quality of genetics they offer their customers and advance their operation. These practices provide their customers with viable and pertinent production information as well as a strong and proven product. Jordan also grows row crops consisting of corn, cotton, and peanuts.
Ag Business Professional – Justin Jones
Justin Jones, wife Terri Lynn, and children (Dylan, Emerson and Griffin) co-own and operate All American Panel (as well as their cattle operation) with a business partner. All American Panel has two locations — Nicholls, Georgia and White Springs, Florida. Justin offers high quality and economical panels, Arrowquip chutes and accessories as well as quality working facilities designed for cattle and horse producers alike. Justin, his family, and business partner pride themselves on the quality of customer service they offer, as they ship and install their product across the United States. Justin is active in numerous state Cattlemen’s Association and is active in his community. He and his family are members of First Assembly of God in Douglas, GA and head basketball coach (middle school boys) for Elite Stars & Sports Training. Justin and his family also have a Cow/Calf Operation breeding Red Angus based cows to Registered Hereford and Registered Braford Bulls creating superior red baldy calves.
Young Producer of the Year – Logan Gillis
Logan graduated from Coffee County High School in 2004 and went on to ABAC, where he received his degree in Poultry Science. Logan began his farming operation by purchasing and managing seven broiler poultry houses. In addition to the broiler houses, Logan is now a sales associate for Griffin’s Warehouse. He also farms 500 acres of cotton, peanuts, corn and snap beans. Logan planted 15 acres of citrus in 2018, and has had the honor of marketing satsuma oranges through the Coffee County and Jeff Davis School Systems. Logan has served on the Georgia Citrus Association Board as Secretary, which serves as Georgia’s newest agricultural industry! Logan also serves on the Board of the Georgia Crop Production Alliance “GCPA”. Logan lives in Coffee County with his wife, Ashleigh Gillis, and little boys (Slade and Sawyer Gillis).
Ag Business of the Year – Blue Ribbon Show Supply
Jimmy, Lisa and Jessie Youngblood established Blue Ribbon Show Supply in 2015, where they are an authorized Weaver Leather Livestock mobile dealer located in Nicholls, GA. They are passionate about providing exceptional customer service and encouraging youth to find a passion for exhibiting all species of livestock. They carry a full line of show and daily care supplies for all species of livestock. Their interest, knowledge, and experience allows them to provide exhibitors with the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside the show ring. They are dedicated to bringing you quality, innovative products that will help your animals look their best in the ring and will have you on the right track to the backdrop. From show day prep to daily care, aim for your blue ribbon with an assortment of livestock show supplies from The Winner’s Brand products!”
Young Farmer Scholarship Recipient – Emma Hutto
The Coffee County Young Farmer Scholarship was established in 2020, with the goal of providing funds to help Coffee High FFA students pursue a degree in agriculture. Each year The Coffee County Young Farmers sell fruit to help raise the funds for the scholarship initiative. This year’s recipient is Emma Hutto. Emma will be attending Eastern Oklahoma State College on a Livestock Judging Scholarship with plans to transfer to Oklahoma State College and major in Animal Reproduction.