Farmer of the Year News and History
This will be the 21st Anniversary of Swisher International and the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition to have the honor to salute the agricultural community and industry with the Swisher Sweets / Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award. In the previous 20 years, many of agriculture's top business leaders, innovators, environmentalists, pioneers, family men, problem solvers and leaders have received national recognition. Swisher International and Sunbelt Ag Expo continue to provide recognition for a select group of true heroes - American Farmers and make the public more aware of the many ways agriculture touches their lives every day.
Dr. Charles E. Snipes of Greenville, MS has been selected to his first three-year term as a member of the judging team for the 2010 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award. Snipes, who currently serves as President and Research Scientist for Stoneville R & D, Inc., will join James Lee Adams of Camilla, GA, and Jim Bone of Valdosta, GA, in determining the winner of the most prestigious award in agriculture. “There are many challenges facing farmers across the Southeast, yet they remain resilient, determined and adaptable,” Snipes said. “The Farmer of the Year program plays an important role in promoting the agriculture sector and educating urban audiences about farmer’s contributions on many levels. As land managers, the environmental and innovation credentials of farmers are sometimes overlooked, so I am honored to be a part of a program that recognizes the ideas and initiatives that are carving out the very future of the industry.”
Since its inception in 1990, the Swisher Sweets / Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award has evolved into the most prestigious honor in the southeast and nation with 167 outstanding agribusiness leaders being honored for their “excellence in agriculture.” Ten states participate in the program: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. In the previous 20 years of the award, over $804,000 has been awarded to state and overall winners. Each state winner receives $2500 and an all expense paid trip to Expo along with various other prizes. The overall Southeastern winner receives $15,000 and various other prizes from the sponsors.
If you would like more information on the Farmer of the Year program including an application form, please send us an email.
