By Bethany Champion, 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Intern
Friendly faces, sweet families, and students from multiple states fled the Expo today. It is exciting and encouraging to see such a wide variety of individuals represented at Expo. All visitors come from different locations for the same purpose: to support American agriculture. Students from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina competed in the Youth Challenges, sponsored by Country Financial. Welcome to any student across the southeast, over 600 students signed up to compete. After youth challenges, the middle and high school students walk around Expo visiting the college exhibit areas and networking with companies about future career opportunities. We are thankful FFA advisors and teachers from all across the Southeast see the value in bringing their students to North America’s Premier Farm Show to seek opportunities to advance their academic and future workforce careers.
With Wednesday being a day particularly high in attendance, many parents bring their children to enjoy the sights, taste, and experiences of Expo. The John Deere booth features a play stay for children to drive toy tractors and gators. Many kids can be found all across the equipment exhibits climbing into the tractors and “driving” around. This makes for a fun photo for parents and an entertaining experience for the child.
The atmosphere of the Expo is quite unique. The agricultural community goes above and beyond to create an unmatched environment. It could be a friendly wave as you’re passing a stranger, a “so good to see you” from an old friend, or a promise sealed with a handshake. It is encouraging to see such a diverse group of individuals come together to support the industry that we all hold so near and dear!
