By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent MOULTRIE, Ga. — Kentucky agriculture had the opportunity to shine for the rest of the Southeast when it served as this year’s spotlight state at the 2008 Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.
Celebrating its 31st anniversary, the expo – known as North America’s Premier Farm Show – brought 1,200 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors to southern Georgia to see and hear about the latest news and research in agriculture today and the greatest in equipment, goods and services available for the farm.
“The Expo is a central location where agricultural researchers and educators are addressing important issues for today’s farmer. Our commercial exhibitors feature the latest goods and services, which can save farmers a lot of time and gas that they otherwise would have to spend traveling to different vendors to comparison shop,” says Chip Blalock, executive director.
“In one day, visitors can evaluate models and brands that might not be readily available in their area through state-of-the-art field machinery demonstrations, as well as view cutting-edge research practices and interactive educational exhibits. Expo really offers the most efficient means of finding it all in one place at one time.”
Officials from Kentucky ag agencies, including Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB), the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP), the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture (UK) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), were on hand to show off the many aspects of the state’s agriculture industry.
One highlight of the expo was the announcement of the winner of the 19th annual Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition. Monroe County dairy cattle producer Loretta Lyons represented Kentucky and was the first woman to be named as a state winner of the annual award program that began in 1990.
The contest includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Lyons’ story is inspiring, as she gave up a teaching job in 1976 to run the family farm and raise her children on it after the death of her husband. The dairy farm is named Hade’s Triple “K” Dairy Farm, after her late husband and his father, who was also named Hade. The Triple “K” stands for her three children – sons Kerry and Kevin and daughter Kela – all of whom have helped keep the farm running and successful.
The operation now includes a total of 1,140 acres with 695 acres of owned land and 445 rented. Burley tobacco was grown until 2007; now, Lyons operates a large dairy replacement heifer operation. The farm’s crop yields include 2.5 tons of baled wheat silage per acre from 300 acres, 19 tons of corn silage per acre from 130 acres, 152 bushels of corn grain per acre from 300 acres and 2.5 tons of hay per acre from 200 acres.
Lyons was nominated for the award by her son, Kevin, who also serves as Monroe County’s extension agent.
“She has a compelling and inspiring story for this day and time,” he said. “After our dad passed away, she had a hard life, but she successfully raised three young children and overcame many obstacles.”
Arkansas farmer Brian Kirksey was selected the overall winner of the competition.
GOAP Executive Director Roger Thomas said the Expo was wonderful for the state to tell its agricultural story and showcase and educate other states programs on “the one-of-a-kind made possible by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, as well as bring back ideas from other states on issues that will enhance efficiency and profitability of agriculture.”
Thomas served as the keynote speaker at this year’s Expo Kickoff Luncheon.
Kentucky’s 40-by-100-foot exhibit area showcased GOAP’s display featuring projects and programs that are part of the state’s historic agricultural development initiative under the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board; KDA’s award-winning farm safety program and the Kentucky Proud Marketing initiative; the UK’s equine initiative and engineering program, as well as an agricultural engineering display that featured a 1/4-scale tractor built by the school’s Wildcat Pulling Team; and KFB’s service to Kentucky’s farm families with more than 460,000 members, one of the strongest Farm Bureaus in the country. It also featured the award-winning television program “Bluegrass and Backroads.”
No display about Kentucky would be complete without a reference to basketball, and it was featured with a hoop set-up outside, complete with a free-throw line. Those who made a shot had a chance to win a prize.
For more information about the Expo visit its website at www.sunbeltexpo.com |
