A Legacy Rooted in Land and Community: Honoring Bass Hyatt
By Jamie Ager
At Hickory Nut Gap, our mission is built on a foundation of connection—to the land, to our animals, and most importantly, to the people who dedicate their lives to agriculture. Few individuals embody this spirit more completely than Bass Hyatt, a fifth-generation farmer, a dear friend, and a true legend in the Western North Carolina community. It was my recent honor to induct Bass into the Western NC Agricultural Hall of Fame, a moment that celebrated a lifetime of tireless dedication and wisdom. His story is a powerful reminder of how regenerative farming nurtures not just the soil, but the very fabric of our communities.
A Lifetime on the Land
Bass’s roots in this region run deep. He was raised on a subsistence farm in Brasstown, North Carolina, a piece of land his great-grandfather purchased back in 1890. Farming is not just a profession for Bass; it is a legacy he has carried forward with incredible passion and foresight. Alongside his brother, he has worked to double the land owned by their family, ensuring that this heritage will continue for generations to come.
For many years, Bass balanced his work on the farm with a career at the USDA, retiring in 1997 to devote himself fully to his family and his herd. Together with his wife, Sandra, he raised a family on the farm and continues to work daily with their favorite breed of cattle, Angus. Their partnership with Hickory Nut Gap began over twelve years ago, when they started selling yearlings to our farm. Since then, their relationship with HNG Meats has grown and flourished, becoming a cornerstone of our producer network.
A Friendship Forged in the Fields
Bass is a legend who inspires me to be curious, to learn from history, and to always seek a better way of doing things. He has been dutifully looking after his cowherd with a dirt bike and poly posts since the 1990s, a testament to his practical and innovative approach to farming. I cherish the time we spend together, driving around to visit other farms and sharing stories. We laugh a lot, and in those moments, I am reminded of what a privilege it is to be around such remarkable people who dedicate their lives to agriculture.
Bass is more than just a partner; he is a dear friend and a mentor. His wisdom, gained from a lifetime of working the land, is a gift to everyone who knows him. He represents the heart and soul of what we do at Hickory Nut Gap: building strong, resilient communities centered on a shared love for the land and a commitment to responsible farming.
The Enduring Spirit of Agriculture
The story of Bass Hyatt is the story of regenerative agriculture in action. It is about honoring the past while embracing the future, improving the land for those who will follow, and creating a network of support that uplifts everyone. His induction into the Agricultural Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of his immense contributions, and we are incredibly proud to work alongside him.
We invite you to learn more about the incredible producers like Bass who make our work possible. The next time you visit our farm store, know that every cut of meat holds a story of dedication, passion, and a deep connection to the land.