MOULTRIE — The state of Kentucky is showing all it has to offer as the Spotlight State of the 31st annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.
Jay McCants, coordinator of the Kentucky tent at Expo and director of the Young Farmers Program and assistant director of the Organization Division of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, said this is the first time Kentucky has ever been named the Spotlight State.
“We’re privileged to be out here and show the diversity of Kentucky,” McCants said.
Along with the Kentucky Farm Bureau, McCants said the University of Kentucky and The state Department of Agriculture had a specific focus to show visitors. The Department of Agriculture showcased tractor and ATV safety, stressing to farmers to get tractors equipped with seatbelts and rollover protection. The state has an award-winning farm safety program.
The University of Kentucky was highlighting its pulling tractor, developed by agriculture students, McCants said. Representatives from the university were also on hand to discuss the school’s equine and other agricultural programs.
The Kentucky booth was set up with tobacco leaves drying, which McCants said allowed visitors to have the tobacco barn effect. The state grows burley and dark fired tobacco plants, and the state has been a leader in tobacco production.
McCants said the state has also taken advantage of a government settlement with tobacco comapnies. As part of the settlement, the state has spent between $250 and $300 million to create a more diverse agriculture. Funded through the settlement have been grape vineyards, cattle, goats and genetics research.
Visitors to the booth will also see videos of scenery from Kentucky and hear music featuring musicians from the state, McCants said. It is designed to allow visitors to see what Kentucky has to offer.
“We want people just to get a glimpse of what we see every day,” McCants said.
Sunbelt Expo
October 15, 2008
Bluegrass state in spotlight
- Sunbelt Expo
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- Expo turnout dips
- Green energy at Expo
- Spotlight shines on N.C.
- Mower company looking for dealers in Georgia
- Average opening day
- Conservation key for Farmer of Year
- 90-year-old competes in stock dog trials
- Sunbelt Expo set for Oct. 20-22 Farm families looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy fall harvest season will soon get that chance. They are invited to attend the Sunbelt Ag Expo farm show to be held Oct. 20-22 near Moultrie, Ga.
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Georgia Farmer of the Year
Vegetable farmer Bill Brim of Tifton, Ga., has made a name for himself in the produce business. An active farmer for 25 years, he currently farms about 2,500 acres of owned land and 1,500 acres of rented land.
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Alabama Farmer of the Year: David Wright
A farm accident at age 14 left David Wright of Plantersville, Ala., without his right arm. He now looks back and says the accident was best thing that could have happened to him.
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