Tiffany Farrow/The Valdosta Daily Times Tim McMillan, owner of Southern Grace Farms with his brother, Steve, accepts the award for agribusiness of the year.

VALDOSTA — Recognizing the importance of agriculture to the region’s economy is the essential message of the Southeast Agricultural Coalition, which is striving to raise awareness through a variety of programs.

One such program, the Fifth Annual Ag Appreciation Awards Banquet, was held Thursday at the Knights of Columbus in Valdosta. The program’s purpose, according to coordinator Jerome Tucker, is to present information to the agricultural community on issues that are important to them, bring farmers and others in agri-business together for an evening of fellowship, and to recognize those whose outstanding efforts in farming are an example that others can follow.

In his introductory remarks, Tucker recognized a number of dignitaries and elected officials in the audience, and particularly singled out President Ron Zaccari of Valdosta State University. Tucker said the coalition is working toward forming a partnership with the university to support and promote agri-economics in the region.

“Agriculture puts $350 million annually in the South Georgia, North Florida counties annually,” said Tucker. “It’s an important and vital part of our regional economy.”

Following the keynote speech by Dr. Robert R. Kennedy Jr., DVM (see separate story), Tucker and the regional county extension agents presented awards to area farming operations.



Small Farmer of the Year

(greater than 1,000 acres)

Lowndes County Extension Agent Calvin Willis presented the first award of the night, for Small Farmer of the Year, less than 1,000 acres, to the Battle family.

“Douglas, Ruben and Louise Battle are a third generation farm family. They are farming their grandfather’s land here in Lowndes County,” said Willis.

The Battles raise corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, small grains, blueberries and have a small cattle herd. Very active for many years in the annual Lowndes County Ham and Egg Show, Willis said the Battles are “committed to the land and to each other.”



Large Farmer of the Year

(greater than 1,000 acres)

Lowndes County Extension Agent Mickey Fourakers presented the award for Large Farmer of the Year to Wetherington Farms, with Fred Wetherington accepting the award. Fourakers said the farm was founded by Bobby Wetherington and his wife, Brenda, in 1969, and they raised their children working on the farm. Following several years in the Army, Fred Wetherington returned to the farm in 1993 and now manages the operation, one of the largest tobacco producers in the region. With land in Brooks, Cook and Lowndes, the Wetheringtons produce 1.25 to 1.5 million pounds of tobacco per year on more than 600 acres. They also sell transplants throughout the Southeast and work closely with the extension service on issues, according to Fourakers, including tomato spotted wilt virus. In addition, the farm produces peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and some vegetables.

Fred Wetherington accepted the award on behalf of his family, and said, “It’s a team effort. We have seven families who work off this farm.” Wetherington said he grew up working in the tobacco fields and now his own children are as well. He said his time in the Army and away from home “made me appreciate my upbringing,” and he was grateful to be passing that legacy on.



Soil Steward of the Year

Judy Webb presented the first Soil Steward of the Year award to Kenny McCloud of Madison County, Fla.

Webb said his farm has three poultry barns, with 93,000 broilers, beef, cows, 100 acres of woodland, and he has an aggressive pest management system as well as rotational grazing to ensure the best use of his land.



Soil Steward of the Year

John Wester presented the second Soil Steward of the Year award to the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. “Not only are they cultivating crops, they are also cultivating and growing young men,” said Wester.

The Ranch is located near the Suwanee River near Live Oak, Fla., and Wester said they have extensive protections in place in order to prevent any contamination from flowing into the river. The 3,000 acre ranch produces cows, horses, goats, rabbits, hogs, and “even has two llamas,” in addition to the planted pines, pasture and hay grass. The award was presented to Brad Gregory, program director, Dustin Jones, farm manager, and brothers Brian and Adam Bole.



Woman of the Year

Mickey Fourakers recognized the efforts of Lanier County’s Michelle Patten as Woman of the Year.

Patten began a blackberry farm, Horseshoe Berries, with assistance from Ben Strickland and advice from UGA specialist Elvin Andrews, to serve as a producer for Sunnyridge Farms in Clinch County.

Patten started with three acres in 2003 and now has more than 37 acres. She manages the daily operation, planting, weed control, field work and utilizes her entire family on the farm, including husband Franklin Patten, and their children.



Friend of Agriculture

Brooks County Extension Agent Johnny Whiddon presented the Friend of Agriculture award to Doyle Weltzbarker.

Whiddon said Weltzbarker has spent many years promoting agriculture and assisting farmers, serving on a variety of state boards, including the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Georgia Environmental Council, along with serving as chairman of the Bank of Quitman for a number of years.



Agribusiness of the Year

Southern Grace Farms of Berrien County was recognized as the Agribusiness of the Year, with the award presented by Mickey Fourakers.

Owned by brothers Tim and Steve McMillan, Southern Grace Farms operates the Berrien Peanut Company near Enigma and gave up their traditional tobacco crop to enter the berry business.

With U-Pick fields in Valdosta and Enigma, the Farms produces strawberries and blackberries, as well as “value added products” they offer online.

Tim McMillan said the two realized that as farmers, they needed to be leaders, not followers, and “find something that no one else is doing.”

The success of these seventh generation farmers has served as an example to others, according to Fourakers, and the brothers are featured in an article in the July 2006 edition of Georgia Trend magazine.

Steve McMillan said he, his brother and their entire families work together, and “we work with the greatest people — farmers.” McMillan said they routinely take contracts verbally over the telephone at Berrien Peanut. “I’d take any farmer I know, and their word is as good as a signed contract. There’s not a lot left in the world like that.”