Jerry Dakin | Florida Farmer of the Year 2022

Jerry Dakin | Florida Farmer of the Year 2022

Jerry Dakin’s family dairy farm was started by his dad, Romanus (Pete) Dakin, in Livermore, Maine in 1948. From a modest sixteen cows, the operation grew over the post-World War II years. When Pete Dakin returned from a trip down south in October 1963, he informed his wife Jeannette that she and...

Chris Sweat | Arkansas Farmer of the Year 2022

Chris Sweat | Arkansas Farmer of the Year 2022

 Chris Sweat is a fourth generation farmer who grew up on a full-time poultry and cow/calf operation. His great grandparents started a beef and dairy farm, and his dad later established his own chicken and cattle operation. As a youngster, Chris was active in 4-H and FFA. He recalled, “I wasn’t...

Mark Byrd | Alabama Farmer of the Year 2022

Mark Byrd | Alabama Farmer of the Year 2022

Mark Byrd of Byrd Farms in Danville, Alabama, bought a used tractor and hay baler when he was only fourteen years old. Inspired by a FFA vocational ag class in high school, after graduation he planted 15 acres of rented land with soybeans while working a full-time job. Byrd recalled, “That first...

Focus on the Board – Jason Davison

Focus on the Board – Jason Davison

While 2022 marks Jason Davison’s first year as a member of the Sunbelt Ag Expo board, this is far from his first encounter within the rural community. Davison earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education and communication emphasizing leadership development from the University...

Celebrating Freedom to Farm in Georgia

Celebrating Freedom to Farm in Georgia

Guest Submission: Georgia Farm Bureau Staff  As we celebrate the Fourth of July and our freedoms as Americans, Georgia farmers can also celebrate the Georgia General Assembly passing the Freedom to Farm Act, which Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law on April 13. The Freedom to Farm Act provides farms...

“Horsing Around” at the Expo

“Horsing Around” at the Expo

Each year, the equine barn at the Sunbelt Ag Expo is home to lots of action and fun. From beauty queens to trick riders, the barn hosts an array of featured guests and demonstrations. Visitors with backgrounds in the equine industry or those with a love for the thrill of trick riding will enjoy...

Focus on the Board – Tim Marshall

Focus on the Board – Tim Marshall

Tim Marshall has served as a board member for the Expo since 2019; however, his involvement in the agricultural community goes back much further. During this time, he served in various roles at colleges and universities including Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the University of Florida, and...

Precision Ag Research at the Expo Farm

Precision Ag Research at the Expo Farm

By contributing author: Simerjeet Virk - Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the area of Precision Agriculture and Machinery Systems at the University of Georgia The increased focus on improving application accuracy, placement, and timing of crop inputs is driving the growth and...

Research on the Farm – Why Does it Matter?

Research on the Farm – Why Does it Matter?

The Sunbelt Ag Expo may last only three days every October, but the research happening on the Darrell Williams Research Farm located on the Expo grounds happens 365 days a year.   “We have the unique ability to work with university and corporate researchers on our research farm, where we continue...

Focus on the Board – Clay Talton

Focus on the Board – Clay Talton

Monroe County resident, Clay Talton, has been serving on the Expo Board since 2018, but he has been involved in the agricultural world much longer than that.  Originally from Kathleen, Georgia, Talton graduated from Perry High School before attending the University of Georgia. In 2003, he earned a...

Does Your Hay Make the Grade?

Does Your Hay Make the Grade?

Once again, we are excited to welcome back to the Sunbelt Ag Expo the Southeastern Hay Contest.  A tradition since 2004, The Southeastern Hay Contest has been keeping hay growers striving for the best for over a decade. Those interested in hay production make up one of the largest attendee groups...

Celebrating Education at Sunbelt

Celebrating Education at Sunbelt

While the Expo’s mission is to provide ag companies a venue that is conducive to trade with customers, its extended mission supports the year-round education of all ages. Many students attend the Sunbelt Ag Expo each year. Those companies and educational partners that have realized the value of...

Field Day 2022 – Mark it on Your Calendar

Field Day 2022 – Mark it on Your Calendar

Sunbelt Ag Expo boasts a 100-acre exhibit site; however, what makes it unique to other farm shows in the country is the 600-acre Darrell Williams Research Farm. Each year, near the end of March or or the beginning of April, when the longer days begin to warm the soil just enough, the Expo’s farm...

Focus on the Board – Ricky Brown

Focus on the Board – Ricky Brown

Brown Manufacturing has been exhibiting at the Sunbelt Ag Expo since the beginning. Its owner, Ricky Brown, has been serving as a Board Member for the Expo for 15 years. In addition, he’s served as President for 5 years. Born and raised in Ozark, Alabama, Brown is one of the biggest supporters of...

Focus on the Board – Chip Blalock

Focus on the Board – Chip Blalock

Since 1997, Chip Blalock has served as the Executive Director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Before joining the Expo team, Chip was the sales manager of Moultrie Farm Center for 7 years and served as an Extension agent for 3 years.  A graduate of the University of Georgia, he and his wife, Donna, have...

It Takes a Village

It Takes a Village

While the staff runs the day to day operations at the office, it’s no secret that it takes a multitude of volunteers and organizations to pull off North America’s Premier Farm Show, the Sunbelt Ag Expo.   One of the groups responsible for making the decisions for the show is the Executive Board. ...

Expo for the Entire Family

Expo for the Entire Family

If you haven’t started already, now is the time to start planning your family’s trip to the 2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo in October. Expo is for the whole family. No matter your age or interests, join us…and bring the entire crew with you. While visiting Expo, farmers can enjoy equipment set-ups as well...

Prepping for a New Season of Growth

Prepping for a New Season of Growth

Each year the farm crew for the Darrell Williams Research Farm at the Sunbelt Ag Expo works with university and company researchers and representatives to plan for the most efficient use of the land to carry out experiments necessary to continue advancing agricultural products. The team is...

A Sunbelt Ag Expo Love Story: William + Courtney Faulkner

Back in 2010, a love story began at the blue bench in front of the Georgia Peanut Commission building at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. William Faulkner knew he had get his, now wife, Courtney Faulkner, the best Valentine's Day gift to date - the blue bench from in front of the Georgia Peanut Commission...

Who are you sharing a “Bouquet” with this month?

Who are you sharing a “Bouquet” with this month?

Since 2008, the Sunbelt Ag Expo has featured backyard gardening seminars and demonstrations. In 2015, a permanent exhibit space was established that has proven to be a popular spot for visitors to learn simple ways of growing a backyard or community garden.  In 2019, Flint River Fresh and Fredando...

New Faces at the Expo

New Faces at the Expo

A new year has brought about a couple of new Sunbelt Ag Expo team members. Olivia Griffin and Alexis Griner recently joined the team and are excited about their future at the Expo.   Olivia Griffin, a graduate of the University of Georgia, is the new Project and Events Coordinator. She is eager to...

Celebrate Today with a Spoonful of Peanut Butter

Celebrate Today with a Spoonful of Peanut Butter

Are you a smooth or chunky fan?  Do you eat peanut butter plain or do you prefer it as a garnish? No matter how you enjoy peanut butter, celebrate today with your favorite treat as today is National Peanut Butter Day! While nearly three-quarters of people prefer smooth peanut butter as opposed to...

What’s Happening on the Farm in January?

What’s Happening on the Farm in January?

It’s chilly in south Georgia, and the farm is damp. While we anxiously await warmer spring days and the aroma of freshly turned dirt awaiting the planting of the season’s crops, let’s take a few minutes to think about the prep work that goes into preparing the research farm for the season. The...

Morgan Retires

Morgan Retires

Kevin Morgan, Florida Farm Bureau Executive Assistant to the President, joined the organization in 1984.  He has served as the Coordinator of Young Farmer and Women’s Programs, Director of Agricultural Policy and as the Executive Director.  In his current role, Kevin has supervised the management...

Are You Ready for Expo 2022?

Are You Ready for Expo 2022?

Before we even opened the gates for the 2021 show, we started planning for the 2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Moultrie next October. Start making your plans now for next year’s Expo. Below, please find important dates to help you plan: December 6, 2021 Registration...

It’s Great to be Back

It’s Great to be Back

The 2021 Sunbelt Ag Expo has come and gone and it’s hard to believe we closed out this year’s show a week ago. All of the anticipation of reopening the gates after a year off brought great excitement and joy to all those involved. To the many exhibitors, staff members, volunteers, support...

Thursday at Expo: In Review

Thursday at Expo: In Review

Bridget Dixson, junior Agriculture Communication major from Kite, Ga, is enjoying her time at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo. If you were around Spence Field this morning you heard her beautiful voice singing our National Anthem. Dixson is not only serving as the reigning Ms. ABAC, but also serving...

Wednesday at Expo: In Review

Wednesday at Expo: In Review

The Youth Educational Challenges took place today at the RW Griffin Building. These challenges test the agricultural knowledge of FFA members from 6th-12th grade. The test gives FFA members who have never competed in a Career Development Event the opportunity to experience what the competition is...

Tuesday at Expo: In Review

Tuesday at Expo: In Review

2021 Swisher Farmer of the Year from South Carolina Robert Hall! Many special guests travel across the southeast to attend the Farmer of the Year banquet on day one of the Sunbelt Ag Expo. This year more than ever, with last year's awards postponed, the eager farmers from Virginia to Florida stood...

Monday at Expo: In Review

Monday at Expo: In Review

Two of my worlds are colliding this week. After spending the summer in Atlanta working for the Georgia Department of Agriculture Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin, I headed back to Tifton to finish my last year of college. Now, as a Sunbelt Ag Expo intern, I am met with working them again, but...

Welcome to Expo Week!

Welcome to Expo Week!

We welcome our faithful visitors and exhibitors to the 43rd Annual “North America’s Premier Farm Show”­­®, the Sunbelt Ag Expo!  We can’t wait to see you when we open the gates tomorrow morning!  For all things expo, visit this week’s blog at sunbeltexpo.com/blog-series. [button...

Sunbelt Expo 2021: Our 43rd Show

Sunbelt Expo 2021: Our 43rd Show

If the latest in Agricultural technology is what you are looking for, then the Sunbelt Ag Expo is the place for you. We welcome our faithful visitors and exhibitors, who we missed so dearly in 2020, to the 43rd annual edition of “North America’s Premier Farm Show”­­®, the Sunbelt Ag Expo! As we...

Sunbelt Daily To-Dos

Tuesday: 8:00 - Media Breakfast | R.W. Griffin Stage Join us for a special welcome to all of the media and mingle with others at our exclusive Media Breakfast. 9:30 - Opening Ceremony for the 43rd Sunbelt Ag Expo | R.W. Griffin Stage At our annual Opening Ceremony, we are celebrating the 43rd...

Sunbelt Shorts: Must See While at the Expo

SWISHER FARMER OF THE YEAR Over the past thirty-one years, the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award program has honored excellence across Southern agriculture’s diverse landscape. Farmers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South...