The Rural Lifestyle Section at the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo has been renamed the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Center in honor of the Norman Park company that helped to create it.

MOULTRIE — The Sunbelt Ag Expo announced this week the official renaming of the Rural Lifestyle Section. This portion of the Sunbelt Expo will now be named the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Center, honoring the Hoss Tools Company from Norman Park.

The Rural Lifestyle Section was started in 2014 in response to the growing trend of producing backyard gardens or small acreage farms. Many gardeners desire to produce and maintain their own food in order to become more self-sustainable. This trend includes growing fruits and vegetables, raising chickens, managing bee keeping for self-pollination, and any other practices that promote self-sustainability. 

The Rural Lifestyle Section encompassed all of these elements, provided educational opportunities, and had vendors and exhibitors showcasing the latest techniques and varieties for those seeking the country-style living. 2014 seminars and demonstrations included anything from starting with backyard chickens to growing herbs and pollinating crops. UGA Extension Service, SOWEGA Beekeepers, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and Andy Schneider conducted seminars and demonstrations. The seminars and demonstrations were held in the Rural Lifestyle Pavilion, donated by Georgia Metals Pavilion.  

First year exhibitors included Bonnie Plants, Chattahoochee Valley Poultry Association, Hoss Tools, United Irrigation Supply, Inc., Lentus Products, and Southern Compost Solutions, LLC.

Greg Key, owner of Hoss Tools, was instrumental in getting this sustainable living project started, the Expo said. 

“He was a ground-level sponsor and continues to offer continued support in maintaining the center,” the Expo said in a press release. “For this reason, the Sunbelt Ag Expo was pleased to offer him the naming rights of the facility. Greg Key thoughtfully chose to rename the section the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Center in hopes to encompass the entire message and purpose of the section in the name. Key hopes that the section will continue to prosper from year to year, continuing to offer educational opportunities for those looking to become more self-sustainable.” 

The 2015 seminars and demonstrations will be held in the Hoss Tools Sustainable Living Pavilion. 2015 exhibitors will include: Southern Compost Solutions, LLC; Johnny’s Selected Seeds; SeaAgri, Inc.; Natural Born Tillers/Cory Mosser; Georgia Metals, Inc. Yanmar America Coporation; and Bonnie Plants. Speakers will include Cory Mosser, Greg Key and Fred Rossman.