By Faith Railey, 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
It’s a fresh October morning, and the gates are open at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Friendly faces are everywhere, with smiles, waves, handshakes, and hugs. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College alumni spot old classmates and reminisce about their college days.
No matter how long ago you graduated from ABAC, alumni can always reconnect while at the expo. It is a reunion as much as an innovative agricultural farm show, and ABAC alumni have a personal stake in it, as the Expo began on the ABAC campus.
Originally, the expo was an event held for farm equipment dealers to showcase new equipment, and students could see the newest innovative technology in the agricultural industry. Additionally, students had the opportunity to network with future employers in the industry.
Eventually, the show grew, and thanks to the ambitions of agricultural leaders, the now Sunbelt Ag Expo is even larger than anyone ever planned. Today, the ABAC building is a place for prospective students to learn about the college, and alumni can find out what’s new at ABAC.
The building also features an area where alumni can visit with one another, look at old yearbooks, and reconnect with the college’s Alumni Association. Many of the alumni are not only visitors but leaders in agriculture. Additionally, an alumni social will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the ABAC building, where fond memories will be recorded for an upcoming podcast. ABAC staff will continue to record alumni stories throughout Expo week.
Some come as an exhibitor representing a company or business. Others graduated with the skills they need to run a farm successfully. They come back to the Expo to see the newest technology they can implement on their farm. Some went into education and bring their agriculture students to the Expo. Others return each year to see how the event has changed since its beginnings. Recent graduates look for networking opportunities while making early career connections.
For ABAC alumni, the expo is a place to connect with friends and professional networks. In that way, they carry on the events with the original purpose of linking students and employers.
