In the heart of American agriculture lies a tale of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The story of John Deere, a name synonymous with quality farm equipment, is not just about the evolution of machinery; it's a narrative of transformative advancements that have shaped the landscape of agriculture globally.
We’re honored to partner with 6 John Deere dealers, crafting localized content to share their individual stories with their customers. In this blog, we’ll share more about each of them, but before we do, let’s talk about the history of the John Deere brand as a whole.
The company got its start in 1837 when a young blacksmith (the John Deere himself) set up shop in the small town of Grand Detour, Illinois. It was here that Deere crafted his first groundbreaking invention – the steel plow. Unlike traditional cast iron plows, Deere's steel plow boasted a polished and highly durable surface, which prevented soil from sticking and enabled smoother plowing. This innovation revolutionized farming practices, significantly reducing labor and increasing productivity for farmers across the nation.
As word of Deere's superior plows spread, demand soared, prompting him to establish the first official John Deere manufacturing plant in Moline, Illinois, in 1848. This marked the beginning of a period of rapid expansion and growth for the company. In the ensuing decades, John Deere diversified its product line, introducing a range of farm equipment, including cultivators, seeders, and harvesters, all designed to streamline agricultural processes and boost efficiency.
Throughout its history, John Deere has remained at the forefront of innovation, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of growers. In the late 19th century, the company introduced the iconic John Deere Waterloo Boy tractor, heralding the dawn of mechanized agriculture. This pioneering move revolutionized farming practices, paving the way for increased productivity and profitability.
As the 20th century unfolded, John Deere continued to push the boundaries of innovation, introducing a slew of groundbreaking technologies. From the first self-propelled combine harvester in 1927 to the debut of GPS-guided tractors in the 21st century, John Deere has consistently embraced cutting-edge advancements to empower farmers and enhance agricultural efficiency. Fast forward to today, and innovations in Precision Ag technology are helping growers feed the world, put clothes on our backs, put fuel in our tanks…you name it!
As with all great brands, it’s the people, followed by the products, that truly make the impact, but John Deere’s wildly popular brand presence has become undeniable, even branching outside of the agriculture community. You don't have to farm yourself to love Deere’s iconic green and yellow and the magnetic presence that comes with it.
And with that, we’d like to tell you a bit about each of our John Deere dealer partners. These people are the cream of the crop, no pun intended (but it does really work out). The people behind each of these dealers pour their heart and soul into helping their customers succeed, whether that be on the farm/ranch or with managing other types of property. We hope you’ll enjoy learning about them below!
WADE, Inc.
Offering 14 John Deere dealerships across Mississippi
Hunt Partner Since 2017
Established in 1909, WADE, Inc., traces its roots back to a vision that recognized the potential for agricultural machinery needs in the fertile lands of Mississippi. They quickly gained a reputation for quality products and hometown service. As the agricultural sector in Mississippi flourished, so did WADE. Now, they operate from 14 stores across Mississippi, offering John Deere equipment, excellent service, and parts assistance and equipping customers to succeed well into the future with their IntelliFarm division.
Sunshine Quality Solutions
Offering 17 John Deere dealerships across Louisiana
Hunt Partner Since 2021
Sunshine Quality Solutions (Sunshine) was formed in 2016 following the merger of Sunshine Equipment and Quality Equipment. With this merger came a combined total of over 80 years of experience that the brand had to offer its customers. Sunshine offers everything from agricultural equipment to turf care. They also shine in the areas of parts, service and Precision Ag support. Deeply invested in the communities they serve, Sunshine is a proud supporter of the Louisiana FFA and has lots of incredible customer stories to share!
Ag-Pro
Offering 83 John Deere dealerships across North America
Hunt Partner Since 2022
Ag-Pro is one of North America’s largest John Deere dealer groups. Its origins date back to 1903 in Boston, Georgia. Hunt has had the privilege to partner with Ag-Pro on blogging and other SEO efforts since 2022.
Prairie State Tractor
Offering 8 John Deere dealerships across northern Illinois
Hunt Partner Since 2023
Prairie State Tractor was born in 2021 as a result of the merging of KSR Equipment and Holland and Sons. This combining of forces allowed the group to offer their customers decades of experience in the world of ag and turf. Their mission: “To deliver a superior equipment solution with an exceptional service experience that customers trust and employees are proud to represent.”
Lasseter Tractor Company
Offering 6 John Deere dealerships across south Georgia
Hunt Partner Since 2023
Lasseter Tractor Company (Lasseter) has been “South Georgia’s Hometown John Deere Dealer Since 1956.” As a family-owned business ourselves, we love that about them! Lasseter serves customers of all kinds, from growers to property managers, offering excellent John Deere products, hometown service, parts support and Precision Ag resources.
Hutson, Inc.
Offering 32 John Deere dealerships across Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana & Tennessee
Hunt Partner Since 2024
Huston, Inc. (Hutson) was founded in 1928. With over 90 years in business, the brand knows the needs of their customer well, striving to always offer the very best in John Deere products, parts, and service as well as Precision Ag offerings. Hutson’s mission statement is “Let’s grow together,” a sentiment we at Hunt can very much get behind!
Hunt is proud to partner with each of these dealers, because they individually stand as beacons of excellence in the agricultural machinery industry, a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to customer service. Like John Deere as a whole, they each embody what it means to truly be a great brand.
Are you ready to put our team to work for your great brand? Contact us today!