45th annual North America’s Premier Farm Show Sunbelt Ag Expo sees successful opening day in Moultrie

MOULTRIE, Ga. – Thousands of people have been coming through that front gate at Spence Field all day Tuesday.

I got a chance to speak with quite a few people of all ages about making the pilgrimage to Moultrie for the Ag Expo’s 45th opening day.

For some families, like Sandy Davis and her daughter Camryn, it was their first time being at the expo, and they wanted to take everything in during the first day.

“It’s amazing so far! We want to go on airplane rides, we want to eat, we want to see the agriculture…We want to see horses,” said Sandy Davis, Hahira.

The expo also brought plenty of teachers from across the area as they’re looking for new developments that they can bring back to their schools to teach their students.

And, give their students some worthwhile experience.

“…Just because you might not farm, there’s also so many different things you can do for employment. Whether it be selling equipment, selling seed, selling insurance, so many different things. And, not just the kids, but the adults get to see a lot of the different things that go on here at the expo. Which is such a massive part of what we do here in south Georgia,” said Joey Floyd, teacher, Pearson.

“…It’s a good way, we feel like it’s a good way to expose students to production agriculture, and things and areas that are related to agriculture, so they can get that hands on experience,” said Victoria Harrel, teacher, Bainbridge.

We even managed to catch up with a pair of exhibitors from Alabama, taking part in the ag expo for the first time.

“I think it’s great. There are a lot of folks who come out. We’ve been able to speak with a lot of people about things from small business plans, to small requirements to health and nutrition and reaching people throughout the southeast,” said Terrence Norwood, Alabama Co-Op Extension, Alabama A&M.

And, for some, Tuesday was about just some good fun and learning about the latest in the field of agriculture…or spending some time with their friends and families.

“…The people, the food it’s just a great place…The people, the food, the things that you can buy here. They got really nice hats and nice clothes…Just everything, the food, the people, the culture, it’s just a good vibe…” said students attending this year’s expo.

“Aw man, you’re making memories. It’s a great thing, especially being born and raised in south Georgia. You get to kind of teach them the heritage of what’s going on…” said Joey Floyd, teacher, Pearson.

Now the expo is closed for the rest of Tuesday, you can see grounds of Spence Field clearing out behind me, but there’s still another two days of the ag expo to look forward to if you weren’t able to make it out to Colquitt county today.

Alabama was this year’s Spotlight State of the Year, and at noon Tuesday, it was announced that Steve Cobb from Arkansas was named the 2023 Southeastern Farmer of the Year.

We’ll have continued coverage from the ag expo throughout the week.

Brian Roche reporting.

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