By Brad Haire
University of Georgia
Moultrie, Ga. — Visitors, exhibitors and political leaders
converged here to learn about the latest farm technology and
research on display at the 27th annual Sunbelt Agricultural
Exposition Oct. 19-21.
“Many who don’t go to farms often have absolutely no idea the
level of technology used to produce the food and fiber not only
in this country, but all over the world,” said Georgia Gov.
Sonny Perdue at the Willie B. Withers Sunbelt Ag Expo luncheon
on opening day.
Perdue called agriculture Georgia’s oldest and one of its most
important industries. “We’re committed in helping agricultural
technology grow in Georgia,” he said.
This year’s expo had 1,201 exhibitors. It was expected to draw
about 220,000 visitors.
At the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences building, visitors were quizzed on food
safety and saw butterflies flying, insects eating and a
miniature model farm irrigated by precision technology.
They learned about irrigation research, forestry, economic
development and Internet imaging systems. They saw how wireless
technology can help farmers more efficiently manage their farms.
And under the “Dawgs Gone South” display, prospective students
learned how they could get a four-year UGA degree in Tifton,
Ga.
Visitors took tram tours of field demonstration sites. They
learned about CAES scientists’ crop research and saw firsthand
how farm machines, many new to the market, work on real crops on
the expo farm.
“Sunbelt Expo provides an excellent opportunity for the CAES
faculty and staff to showcase new and ongoing college projects
and programs to a wide variety of people from across the
country,” said Anne Young, chair of the CAES expo committee.
UGA President Michael F. Adams said the university remains
committed to agriculture and to finding ways to improve and
promote economic development and academic achievement in rural
Georgia. Adams toured the expo grounds on opening day.
Eddie Johnson Jr. became the first North Carolina farmer to
become the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the
Year. The award has been given in each of the past 14 years on
opening day.
Johnson received $16,700 in cash and prizes, along with the use
of a tractor for a year. He farms tobacco, corn, silage,
soybeans, barley and wheat on a 1,170-acre farm.
The other seven state finalists included John East, Alabama;
Dale Sauls, Florida; Joe Boddiford Jr., Georgia; Sledge Taylor
III, Mississippi; Earl Thrailkill, South Carolina; Austin
Anderson, Tennessee; and Lance Everett, Virginia.
