FRANK HOWEY JR. NAMED 2014 NORTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
As urban growth near Charlotte has expanded, the farm of Frank Howey Jr., has grown at an equal rate. In 32 years of farming, Howey from Monroe, N.C., has become one of the largest farmers in the area and state. He specializes in row crops, wheat, soybeans and corn, and has a small cattle herd. He...
JOHN KELLER NAMED 2014 TENNESSEE FARMER OF THE YEAR
A farmer for 50 years, John Keller of Maryville, Tenn., has long been close to the land he farms in the shade of the scenic Great Smoky Mountains. He farms about 788 acres, including 226 acres of rented land and 562 acres of family-owned land. His crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, hay and...
PHILIP GRIMES NAMED 2014 GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A meticulous, high-yield crop farmer, Philip Grimes of Tifton, Ga., is admired as one of the best farmers in South Georgia. He has been recognized on the state level for producing high peanut yields for more than 20 consecutive years. A conservation farmer, he uses cover crops and has installed...
PHILLIP HUNTER NAMED 2014 ALABAMA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Drive through Nashville or Birmingham and see the upscale offices and residential complexes. Chances are, the trees landscaping these properties came from the farm of Phillip Hunter. He grew up as a city boy and now lives in Birmingham. He raises shade, evergreen and ornamental trees at the Hunter...
RAY ALLAN MACKEY NAMED 2014 KENTUCKY FARMER OF THE YEAR
Diversified livestock and crop farming at Meadow View Farms have been profitable over many years for Ray Allan Mackey, a 28-year farming veteran from Elizabethtown, Ky. Mackey farms 4,535 acres, of which 1,350 acres are rented and 3,185 acres are owned. He is known for growing corn, soybeans,...
ROBERT T. “TOM” NIXON II NAMED 2014 VIRGINIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Beef cattle, turkeys and row crops are major enterprises at scenic Glenmary Farm overlooking the Rapidan River near Rapidan, Va. Robert T. “Tom” Nixon II, who owns this farm, is focused on flexibility in growing and marketing cattle and crops. For instance, he harvests corn as a cash crop or...
WALTER DANTZLER NAMED 2014 SOUTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Walter Dantzler of Santee, S.C., is a Vietnam War veteran who sincerely appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the heritage of his multigenerational farm. A farmer for 45 years, Dantzler farms 4,487 acres. This includes 2,626 acres of rented land and 1,861 acres of owned land. He farms 3,975...
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South Carolina Fruit Grower James Cooley Named Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year for 2013
(Moultrie, Ga.)—South Carolina peach and strawberry grower James Cooley, who built a beautiful farm that has become an agricultural tourism destination, has been selected as the overall winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2013. Cooley was named as...
Local Vendors Coalition Helps Farmers Break Even
Local Vendors Coalition (LVC) has helped countless farmers take their farm from "break-even" to a profitable operation by helping farmers with all the logistical headaches (transportation, paperwork, etc.). LVC will work with farmers of any size, from big to small, and is expected to generate...
Going for a Spin at the 2013 Sunbelt Expo
Rather than just slam doors and kick tires, visitors to the 36th Sunbelt Expo will be able to slip into the front seat and get an up close and personal driving experience during test rides on specially designed tracks both inside the exhibit grounds and in the field demo area. Visitors can put...
Longtime University of Georgia Extension agronomist John Woodruff has been selected as the newest judge for the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year
Longtime University of Georgia Extension agronomist John Woodruff has been selected as the newest judge for the prestigious Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year awards. Woodruff, from Tifton, Ga., will join John McKissick, University of Georgia agricultural economist from...
SCOTT TRAVIS NAMED 2013 KENTUCKY FARMER OF THE YEAR
Being flexible has paid off for Scott Travis of Cox’s Creek, Ky. His farming operation has evolved over the years, from an early emphasis on livestock to a current focus on crops—burley tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, straw and pumpkins. As a result of his success as a diversified crop...
LIN JONES NAMED 2013 VIRGINIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Beef producer and broiler grower Berkley Linwood “Lin” Jones of New Canton, Va., is a community leader. His work in improving beef genetics, saving money on buying mineral feed supplements and in cooperative value-added marketing of beef calves has gained nationwide attention while adding...
WILBUR EARP NAMED 2013 NORTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A farmer for more than 60 years, Wilbur Earp of Winnabow, N.C., pioneered in raising hogs indoors. He has developed an extensive beef, pork and row crop farm. He also used estate planning experts to ensure his farm will be a viable business for years to come. As a result of his success as a...
PHILLIP DeSALVO NAMED 2013 ARKANSAS FARMER OF THE YEAR
Phillip DeSalvo of Center Ridge, Ark., embraced a ground-floor opportunity to develop a new breed of cattle called Ultrablack. DeSalvo has persevered despite adversities such as drought, a devastating tornado and losing a contract to grow broiler chickens. His Big D Ranch is now recognized as a...
WILL HARRIS NAMED 2013 GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Fourth generation farmer Will Harris of Bluffton, Ga., developed his White Oak Pastures into the largest organic farm in Georgia. He added job-generating meat processing to the farm and has become a provider of high-quality natural meat products to upscale grocery stores and restaurants. As a...
ABBOTT MYERS NAMED 2013 MISSISSIPPI FARMER OF THE YEAR
Abbott Myers of Dundee, Miss., went to college to become an aeronautical engineer. Those plans changed one year when his father required eye surgery and called Abbott home to manage the family farm. He so enjoyed the decision-making of farming, he changed his major to ag engineering, and the next...
RICHARD JAMESON NAMED 2013 TENNESSEE FARMER OF THE YEAR
Richard Jameson of Brownsville, Tenn., has overcome a diagnosis of clinical depression, and with support of his family and the medical community, he is now able to manage the stresses that come with farming. He has also become a topnotch soil conservationist, a successful row crop producer and a...
JAMES COOLEY NAMED 2013 SOUTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
James E. Cooley of Chesnee, S.C., has developed a showplace farm growing peaches, strawberries and blackberries. Each year, Cooley, his wife, daughters and dedicated employees welcome thousands of visitors to the farm that has become an agricultural tourism destination. As a result, Cooley has...
JOHN SCOTT LONG NAMED 2013 FLORIDA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A native of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, John Scott Long answered a call to manage a cucumber farm in South Florida. He later bought this land near Palm City, Fla., to raise vegetables. His Agri-Gators farming operation has since become a successful producer of sweet corn and potatoes consumed...
ANNIE DEE NAMED 2013 ALABAMA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Though not raised on a farm, Annie Dee grew up in farming country in southern Illinois. After studying agriculture in college, she farmed land her parents owned in Florida. This land was later sold to start another in West Alabama. Over the years, she transformed Dee River Ranch near Aliceville,...
Expo Partners with Newton Crouch
The Sunbelt Expo is partnering with two long time grant supporters to continue cutting edge research on the Darrell Williams Research Farm. A variable rate fertilizer spread, donated by Newton Crouch, will give us the ability to do our own precision spreading including variable rate technology. ...
Florida Dairy Farmer Dale McClellan Named Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year for 2012
(Moultrie, Ga.)—Dairy farmer and milk and fruit juice processor Dale McClellan of Thonotosassa, Fla., has been selected as the 2012 overall winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. Download this Press Release (pdf) McClellan was named as the overall winner...
Alabama Featured as Spotlight State for Fourth Time at 2012 Expo
For the fourth time in Sunbelt Ag Expo’s 34-year history Alabama will be the spotlight state and state officials say the first three were great, but the fourth time around will be a spotlight to remember. The theme for the Alabama Spotlight State is: Alabama Agriculture - Well Grounded. The idea...
THE 2012 FORAGE MANAGER’S GUIDE TO THE SUNBELT EXPO by Dennis Hancock, Forage Extension Specialist
Many of you enjoy making an annual visit to the Sunbelt Ag Expo, and it is certainly one of my favorite events, too. Where else can you see all that the agriculture industry has to offer in one spot? But, it can be overwhelming. There’s just SO much to see! A few years back, I wrote the “Forage...
Sunbelt Expo Celebrates 35 Great Years
Each year, the Sunbelt Ag Expo makes fall a festive time for farmers and their families from the Southeast. This year will be a special Expo as the farm show celebrates its 35th anniversary. The 2012 farm show will be held Oct. 16-18 in Moultrie, Ga., and North America’s Premier Farm Show®promises...
Ritchie Bros. to conduct unreserved public auction in conjunction with Sunbelt Ag Expo on October 19, 2012
Ritchie Bros. to conduct unreserved public auction in conjunction with Sunbelt Ag Expo on October 19, 2012 Consignments now being accepted—17 2011 John Deere MFWD tractors already featured in the auction MOULTRIE, GA (August 23, 2012) – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world’s...
MAXWELL WATKINS NAMED 2012 VIRGINIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A sixth generation farmer, Maxwell Watkins of Sutherland, Va., raises high yielding crops in fields with a long history tracing back to land grants from the King of England. As a result of his success as a diversified crop farmer, Watkins has been selected as the Virginia winner of the Swisher...
STEVE DIXON NAMED 2012 TENNESSEE FARMER OF THE YEAR
A farmer for 31 years, Steve Dixon of Estill Springs, Tenn., is flexible in his farming operation. He runs a diversified farm with row crops, livestock and an agricultural tourism operation. As a result of his success as a diversified farmer, Dixon has been selected as the Tennessee state winner...
MONTY RAST NAMED 2012 SOUTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Edward “Monty” Rast of Cameron, S.C., used the discipline he learned as a business management major at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, to develop a modern farm and several farm-related businesses. As a result of his accomplishments as a crop farmer and agribusiness investor,...
GARY BLAKE NAMED 2012 NORTH CAROLINA FARMER OF THE YEAR
Gary Blake of North Wilkesboro, N.C., bought eroded land overgrown with kudzu in 1978 and transformed it into a modern diversified farm. Four generations of his family live on the farm, and three generations of his family manage key components of the operation. They derive most of their income...
BILL SPAIN NAMED 2012 MISSISSIPPI FARMER OF THE YEAR
William “Bill” Spain of Booneville, Miss., joined his family’s farm after he finished his education at Northeast Mississippi Community College and helped to build the farm into a modern, cohesive unit that carries on a strong family tradition. As a result of his success as a row crop farmer, Spain...
JIM SIDEBOTTOM NAMED 2012 KENTUCKY FARMER OF THE YEAR
Jim Sidebottom of Greensburg, Ky., grew up on a dairy but had to work long at off-farm jobs before saving enough money to start his own dairy farm. As a result of his success as a dairy farmer, Sidebottom has been selected as the Kentucky state winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo...
BARRY MARTIN NAMED 2012 GEORGIA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A conservation tillage perfectionist, Barry Martin of Hawkinsville, Ga., improves his land year after year by using heavy rye cover crops. As a result of his success as a cotton and peanut farmer, Martin has been selected as the Georgia winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer...
DALE McCLELLAN NAMED 2012 FLORIDA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A successful dairy farmer, Dale McClellan of Thonotosassa, Fla., helped to start a milk-marketing cooperative and developed his own milk and fruit juice processing plant. He is known for the fat-free, sugar-reduced chocolate milk he delivers to Florida schools. As a result of his dairy farming and...
HEATH LONG NAMED 2012 ARKANSAS FARMER OF THE YEAR
A young fourth-generation farmer with a bright future, Heath Long of Tichnor, Ark., developed a successful and extensive crop farming business in only 17 years of farming. In addition, he works part-time at a fun job during winter months as a guide for duck hunters. As a result of his success in...
SAM GIVHAN NAMED 2012 ALABAMA FARMER OF THE YEAR
A Vietnam War veteran, Sam Givhan of Safford, Ala., came home to his family farm in West Central Alabama. He diversified the farm and made it more profitable by adding an impressive catfish farming enterprise to the existing mix of beef cattle and field crops. He also has a strong record of...
Reinke To Announce Additional Investment to Expo During Field Day July 12
WHAT: Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc. will announce this week that the company is making an additional investment to aid in the ongoing research efforts of the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. Reinke Southeast Territory Manager Mike Mills is scheduled to make the announcement...
Dow AgroSciences Joins Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo
Moultrie, Ga. - It’s a match made in fields across the 10 states served by the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year program. Dow AgroSciences annually commits to the success of farmers by bringing them crop protection products and PhytoGen Cottonseed. The company now joins in celebrating...