FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2000
Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition
(Moultrie, GA)---The 23rd Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will be held at Spence Field in Moultrie, GA, on October 17-19, 2000.
The annual Expo provides an opportunity to view the products and services of thousands of exhibitors---national and international. Last year, over 210,000 visitors attended the event to see almost 1,200 exhibits. To increase international marketing exposure, twenty-seven countries were represented during the 3-day event.
"We have developed a reputation with out exhibitors and visitors as a one-stop information source on the latest technology," said Chip Blalock, Director of the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.
In addition to indoor and outdoor exhibits, over 600 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, Bermuda grass, and perennial peanuts are harvested during the Expo in daily harvesting and tillage demonstrations.
The Sunbelt Expo site is located on Highway 133, six miles southeast of Moultrie, GA. Show hours are 8:30 AM to 5 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday and 8:30 AM to 4 PM on Thursday. The entrance fee is $5 per person per day. Children 6 and under are admitted free with adult supervision.
Raymond Galloway Jr., of Darlington has been named the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the year for South Carolina for the year 2000. Mr. Galloway is a third generation farmer who left teaching to farm full time.
Mr. Galloway is one of eight outstanding farmers representing eight Sourtheastern States, from which one will be chosen as the 2000 Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year. Swisher International, and its Lancaster Premium Chewing Tobacco brand, and the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition are sponsoring this award for the 11th consecutive year.
Galloway was chosen for the South Carolina honor in judging conducted by the Clemson Extension Service. David Gunter, County Extension Agent for Darlington County, nominated him for the South Carolina honor.
He will receive a $1,500 cash award from Swisher International as well as an all-expense paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo. The Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year will be announced on October 17 at the Willie B. Withers Exhibitors Luncheon during the opening day of the Sunbelt Expo. The winner will receive an additional $12,500 cash award from Swisher International. In addition to the cash award, the Southeastern winner will also receive a year’s supply of clothing from the Williamson-Dickie Company and the use of a Massey Ferguson series 4000 tractor from AGCO, Inc. and a custom gun safe from Misty Morn Safes.
"Mr. Galloway can be proud of the many accomplishments he has made during his farming career," said J. Thomas Ryan, Senior Vice President of Swisher International. "His dedication to agriculture and to his family have played a major role in earning him this honor as the most outstanding farmer in his state for the year 2000."
Galloway, who has been farming for 30 years, has taken advantage of modern technology to reduce labor costs on his 4,000 acre farm on which he grows tobacco, cotton, soybeans, corn and Coastal Bermuda grass for hay and grazing. He also has a beef cattle cow/calf operation.
For more information, contact the Sunbelt Expo office at 229-985-1968 or log on to www.sunbeltexpo.com.