2025 SUNBELT AG EXPO SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Kent Hamilton, Georgia, on being named the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Learn more about the 2025 winner below and the other state winners. 

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2025 SUNBELT AG EXPO SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR

Steve Cobb 2023 Farmer of the Year Southeastern Sunbelt Ag Expo

KENT HAMILTON NAMED 2025 SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR

Kent Hamilton, of Norman Park, Georgia, has been selected as the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2025.

Kent Hamilton is CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc., based in Norman Park. Kent said, “It was founded in 1987 and is a family-operated corporation that’s spent generations growing, packing, and shipping fresh produce with care, integrity, and heart.”

Now spanning over 8500 cultivated acres across Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Southern Valley grows green beans, cabbage, trellis cucumbers, a variety of peppers and squash, sweet corn, trellis pickles, and eggplant and owns 100 head of cows. Kent said, “I started farming 37 years ago with my uncle and my late brother, Kirk, in a row crop operation centered on cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. Over time, we’ve strategically changed our focus to vegetables and expanded to ensure year-round productivity and to grow crops in regions with favorable seasonal climates.”

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2025 FARMERS OF THE YEAR

KENT HAMILTON NAMED 2025 SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR

KENT HAMILTON NAMED 2025 SOUTHEASTERN FARMER OF THE YEAR

Kent Hamilton, of Norman Park, Georgia, has been selected as the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2025. Kent Hamilton is CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc., based in Norman Park. Kent said, “It was founded...

2025 Farmer of the Year – Steve Hopkins – Virginia

2025 Farmer of the Year – Steve Hopkins – Virginia

Steve Hopkins Virginia Farmer of the Year 2025 Seven generations of Hopkins family members have worked to maintain and grow their Riverview Farms Cattle operation in Louisa. Steve and sons Blake and Garrett run the 1200+ acre cattle, crops, and poultry operation as...

2025 Farmer of the Year – Jeff Wilson – South Carolina

2025 Farmer of the Year – Jeff Wilson – South Carolina

Jeff WIlson South Carolina Farmer of the Year 2025 Cotton Hills Farm in Lowrys has been operating continuously since 1882, when the original 100 acre home place was gifted to Theodosia Abell by her father on the occasion of her wedding to Joseph Wilson. Cotton, small...

2025 Farmer of the Year – Kent Hamilton – Georgia

2025 Farmer of the Year – Kent Hamilton – Georgia

Kent Hamilton Georgia Farmer of the Year 2025 Kent Hamilton is CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc., based in Norman Park. Kent said, “It was founded in 1987 and is a women-owned and family-operated corporation that’s spent generations growing, packing,...

2025 Farmer of the Year – James “Jim” Alderman – Florida

2025 Farmer of the Year – James “Jim” Alderman – Florida

James "Jim" Alderman Florida Farmer of the Year 2025 A fourth-generation Floridian, Jim Alderman was one of eight children born into a farming family that first came to Florida in the 1820s. As a child he worked in the orange groves and helped out with his father and...

2025 Farmer of the Year – Jeremy Allen – Arkansas

2025 Farmer of the Year – Jeremy Allen – Arkansas

Jeremy Allen Arkansas Farmer of the Year 2025 Jeremy Allen of Bismarck has deep family roots in Hot Springs County. His grandfather started a dairy in the 1950s, and his parents were poultry farmers who built three chicken layer houses. Jeremy bought his first set of...

Media: Get Farmer of the Year Photos

2025 Farmer of the Year photos are now available.

If you are looking to have a photo accompany releases in your state, you can download your state’s winner’s photo.

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DONATE TO THE FRIENDS OF THE FARMER OF THE YEAR FUND TODAY.

State Winners

Since 1990, the Sunbelt Expo’s Southeastern Farmer of the Year (FOY) award has honored 311 outstanding family farms for excellence in American agriculture.

Seeking $115,000

To fully fund the Farmer of the Year program into 2026, along with Harper Family Holdings, $115,000 is needed to continue in the future.
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Send in your Farmer of the Year Nominations Today!

Do you know someone who would be an excellent candidate to represent your state in the Farmer of the Year (FOTY) program? Nominate them today by contacting your state coordinator.
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Click here to view an archive of all previous winners by state.

2024 Overall and State Winners

2023 Overall and State Winners

2022 Overall and State Winners

2020-2021 Overall and State Winners

2019 Overall and State Winners

2018 Overall and State Winners

2017 Overall and State Winners

2016 Overall and State Winners

2015 Overall and State Winners

2014 Overall and State Winners

2013 Overall and State Winners