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. The 2026 Farmers of the Year will be announced in mid-July and stories will be released in August 2026.  

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2026 FARMERS OF THE YEAR

2026 Virginia Farmer of the Year: Glenn Dye

2026 Virginia Farmer of the Year: Glenn Dye

At 13 years old, after his grandfather passed away, Glenn Dye realized someone had to pick up the slack on the family farm. As a teenager, he started helping his father more with daily tasks. Before his grandfather passed, Dye promised him he would attend college....

2026 South Carolina Farmer of the Year: Jeffrey (Jeff) Massey

2026 South Carolina Farmer of the Year: Jeffrey (Jeff) Massey

After marrying into a family in the seafood business, Jeffrey Massey soon developed his passion for the industry. For the past 26 years, he’s spent his career working to advance the family business by growing clams and oysters, advocating for the seafood industry, and...

2026 North Carolina Farmer of the Year: John H. Gross

2026 North Carolina Farmer of the Year: John H. Gross

As a 5th-generation farmer on Gross Farms, John Gross has deep roots in Sanford, North Carolina, where his family has farmed the land for over a century. When he was in the 11th grade, he became an owner in the operation, managing three acres of Tobacco and working...

2026 Georgia Farmer of the Year: Pete Gelber

2026 Georgia Farmer of the Year: Pete Gelber

Pete Gelber grew up in the Bronx, a part of  New York City. His parents purchased a cabin three hours north of the city to keep the five children out of trouble in the summer. After his brother obtained a job at the neighboring 30 cow dairy, Pete started trailing...

2026 Florida Farmer of the Year: Woody Larson

2026 Florida Farmer of the Year: Woody Larson

Growing up in a dairy farming family, Woody Larson always knew he wanted to farm. As a young child he’d sweep the feed room floor, bagging the sweepings to feed the dry cows for 15 cents a day. While his family roots run deep in agriculture, he knew he would have to...

2026 Arkansas Farmer of the Year: Murry Henderson, Jr.

2026 Arkansas Farmer of the Year: Murry Henderson, Jr.

A crop farmer from Northeast Arkansas, Murry Henderson Jr., has established his operation with dedication and resilience. As a first generation farmer, Murry understands facing challenges and overcoming adversities. From starting with 100 acres to now farming over...

2026 Alabama Farmer of the Year: Charles (Chuck) T. Madaris III

2026 Alabama Farmer of the Year: Charles (Chuck) T. Madaris III

What started as weekends at his grandparents cattle operation has grown into an industry leading family farming operation in Hope Hull, Alabama. Chuck Madaris, alongside his wife, Katie, have built and grown CK Cattle into an industry-leading operation. Although the...

Media: Get Farmer of the Year Photos

2026 Farmer of the Year photos are now available.

If you are looking to have a photo accompany the release in your state, you can download your state’s winner’s photo now via the Dropbox folder.

BUY 2026 EXPO TICKETS ONLINE TODAY

Make sure you are ready to join us October 20-22, 2026, in Moultrie, Georgia, and buy your tickets in advance online. Plan your trip today and get your tickets now.

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.”

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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Support the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year

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.

Click here to view an archive of all previous winners by state.

2025 Overall and State Winners

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