He says he’s been the media director for Sunbelt Ag Expo for 32 years and he’s Mr. Peanut. Actually he’s Tyron Spearman, Spearman Marketing. Tyron also reports for Southeast AgNet. At Expo Tyron coordinates all the requests of the media here covering the event. In the photo he’s giving us an overview of the show during our media breakfast. Tyron …
Ag Students Key to Correcting Food Critics on Campus
College students with agriculture backgrounds are finding the need to defend modern agriculture and correct misinformation about food production that is being worked into class curriculums. Some classes are now requiring students to read books like “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” watch movies like “Food, Inc.” and see presentations by critics of modern agriculture like Michael Pollan. Sarah Downing, a junior at the …
Swisher Sweets Sponsors Sunbelt Award
The main sponsor of the Southeastern Farmer of the Year program is Swisher Sweets. Representing them here at Sunbelt Ag Expo is Mr. J. Thomas Ryan, Swisher International. I talked with him prior to the Willie B. Withers luncheon. He says it’s the 20th year that the company has sponsored the awards program. He says business is good for his …
Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum Foundation
The emcee for the Willie B. Withers luncheon at Sunbelt Ag Expo was Mr. Jimmy Hill, President/CEO, Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum Foundation. Jimmy says they develop leaders in agribusiness and forestry with a 12 month program. He says they have 18 people involved in this year’s program. The goal is to develop leaders who will get involved and help solve challenges …
Farming Fish In Ponds
There’s more than one way to farm fish. Usually you think ponds of tilapia or catfish right? Well there’s also sports fishing pond management of game fish like bass and bluegill. At Sunbelt Ag Expo they have a “fishing ponds” exhibit area. One of the exhibitors is Southeastern Pond Management. Seen in the photo is Kedric Nutt. He says his …
Promoting Alpacas
At this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo, Alpacas are popular, especially baby ones. Promoting them is the Southeastern Alpaca Association. Representing the Association here is Carrie Gamblin, Southern Hummers Alpacas, pictured with her husband Jay. Carrie says the organization is the “hub” for all the member farms. Each farm gets a web page that’s part of the organizational website. They also …
The KIOTI MECHRON
KIOTI has just introduced a new utility vehicle – The MECHRON. Sounds kind of like a character in Transformers. But a couple of different versions were on display at Sunbelt Ag Expo. Now just about everyone has a utility vehicle in their product lineup. I spoke to Ron Parrish in the KIOTI exhibit about their new offering. This Ultimate Transport …
Wild Georgia Shrimp
You don’t normally think of shrimp and agriculture at the same time. However, here at Sunbelt Ag Expo the Georgia Shrimp Association would like to educate you and feed you at the same time. John Wallace is the President and I caught him frying shrimp early on opening day of the show. He says their shrimp are from the Atlantic …
North Carolina Commissioner of Ag Steve Troxler
Steve Troxler is the Commissioner of Agriculture for North Carolina. His state is the spotlight state at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo. Steve is here to help kick things off and then I’ll bet he heads back home since their state fair is taking place right now too. He cut the ribbon this morning at their tent to kick off …
Overview of Sunbelt Ag Expo
The 2009 Sunbelt Ag Expo is underway in Moultrie, GA. Executive Director, Chip Blalock, welcomed us media types at a breakfast and provided an overview of what to see at this year’s event. He’s on the left in the photo talking with ag media. Of course I’ve got a photo album started which you can find here: Sunbelt Ag Expo …