By Bethany Champion, 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
Mr. Jerry Tillman is a long standing friend of Sunbelt Ag Expo, marking this as his 31st year as a field demonstration volunteer. Tillman can be found in the peanut or cotton field managing a demo, giving a lesson about how peanuts grow, or simply a smile and a “how you doing.”
Tillman is a resident of Moultrie, Georgia, born and raised just a couple of miles from the Expo grounds. He’s a third generation peanut and soybean farmer. He’s certainly no stranger to the hard work of farming, and represents the agricultural community so well. Over the past three decades, he has met agriculturalists from all over the world. Russia, South Africa, and Brazil are just a couple of countries he has met individuals from during his tenure. If he sees you at the demo field, he will be sure to strike up an engaging and entertaining conversation.
His most memorable Expo experience is when former Vice-President Mike Pence paid a surprise visit in 2018. “I was just sitting in the field,” said Tillman. “All of a sudden three Osprey aircrafts came flying over.” Tillman was the only person in the field, and was later surprised to learn that Pence had flown in to give a speech at a luncheon.
Since 1998 Tillman has brought his lawn tractors to Expo, and today at 77 years old, he was the oldest individual showing off his prized possessions.
“Agriculture always brings a good crowd, but the best people come to the Expo. They’re good folks who are good to talk to. And I sure do enjoy doing it,” shared Tillman. Tradition and commitment are two words that speak to Mr. Jerry Tillman’s character. When visiting Expo next year, be sure to stop by the field demos and say hello. You might just hear a story or two while you’re there.
