The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition has always had a special connection with colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. The Sunbelt Ag Expo began in 1964 on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). At the time it was known as “Dealer Days” but now it has grown into North America’s Premier Farm Show. Starting with just a single college campus, the Expo now has over 10 colleges and universities that showcase all they have to offer every year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in October.
Becca Turner, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, says, “The Expo is a great place to come to do college visits.” Instead of traveling to every potential agricultural school in the Southeast, students can make multiple college visits over the course of the Expo.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has played a large role in the success of the Expo. At the Expo, potential ABAC students meet with friendly staff and current students as well as alumni. These people are excited to talk with the upcoming college freshmen about all the opportunities that ABAC has to offer. ABAC’s representatives will also answer your questions about the college, its clubs and organizations, and its friendly faculty and staff.
A fan favorite for every Dawg fan, the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has a building at the Expo. UGA does a significant amount of work for the Expo. The research farm that is featured during the Expo as well as the field day in July has plot work that is done by researchers from the University of Georgia’s extension program.
Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has been attending the Sunbelt Ag Expo for around 40 years. FVSU’s College of Agriculture typically has an exhibit featuring the research conducted by the institution throughout the year. Fort Valley State University students are eager to talk to everyone who stops by their showcase and will answer any questions that future FVSU students may have.
Clemson University is the place for future Tigers to stop and chat. Clemson University partners with South Carolina’s Department of Agriculture and South Carolina’s Farm Bureau so that every potential student can gain more knowledge about South Carolina’s top industry, agriculture. Clemson also highlights its research and how its land grant institution benefits its current and future students.
Auburn University is the next building that upcoming college freshmen will want to enter. Auburn highlights all that it has to offer through different games and giveaways. Professors showcase their research in topics such as beef, poultry, and water resources as well as their extension program.
Upcoming college freshmen who attend the Expo can find their future home away from home and make connections that last a lifetime.