46th annual Sunbelt Ag Expo opening day sees great turnout in Moultrie; Faylene Whitacker of North Carolina named first ever female 2024 Southeastern Farmer of the Year
MOULTRIE, Ga. – Farmers, innovators, and agricultural enthusiasts from all across gather to Moultrie for the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
The 46th annual Sunbelt Ag Expo officially kicked off with an opening ceremony, welcoming guests to this premiere agricultural event.
“An awesome opportunity for farm families, farmers, operators, livestock producers from all around, especially the southeastern United States, to be able to see the newest, the latest, the greatest, the innovation in agriculture. And, that’s what the expo is about. But, it’s also about us coming together as a family, coming together on how we can work together to continue to move our industry forward and allow agriculture to continue to be successful,” said Tyler Harper, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture.
One of the key highlights of the expo was the featured Spotlight State – Florida, first honored in 1981.
This year, Florida’s agriculture sector took center stage, with Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb Smith delivering an uplifting message despite the challenges posed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“A lot of our producers have been damaged either by wind or flood and depending on Helene or Milton. We had extremes on both sides of the storm. We’ve had a lot of wind damage, structural damage, fence damage. My life is based on faith, family and then farming. And, I can tell you what our faith is strong in the Lord. And, I’ll tell you what, the very thing I would do is just make sure that we look to the lord, ask him for strength, make sure that he’s our source for moving forward, and he is. Our producers, turn to the Lord, pray. Thank you for y’all’s prayers for us. That’s the most important thing anybody can do for us. Florida farmers are resilient and we’re looking forward to moving forward and those growers to be able to come back in and produce,” said Jeb Smith, Florida Farm Bureau President.
One of the most highly anticipated events at the expo was the Willie B. Withers luncheon, which featured the announcement of the prestigious 2024 Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award.
Awards were also presented to the finalists, and cash prizes were also given to farmers who were significantly impacted by the recent storms.
In a historic moment, Faylene Whitaker from North Carolina, the first woman to receive the Southeastern Farmer of the Year award, gave a heartfelt speech.
“I have a small farm, and the person that would be my greatest cheer person today has passed away. Last year we had 50 great years of marriage. We were high school school sweethearts that had a dream. And, our family today is sharing that dream home. So, honor goes to my family, it goes to my coworkers, my employees. I can’t thank you enough for all the support I’ve had from the people that was on this stage with me. They’ve been so supportive. There’s been so many. Thank mostly God who blessed us, gave us this lot that we could love and do what we really enjoy doing every day. Everybody says, when will you retire? Oh, well, when I can’t do it anymore,” said Faylene Whitaker, Award Recipient, North Carolina, 2024 Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
Stay tuned to CBS 44 for continued coverage of the Sunbelt Ag Expo.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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