ag-formation
| SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | Telephone (803) 734-2210 | |||||
| D. LESLIE TINDAL, COMMISSIONER | Becky Walton, Director of Public Information | |||||
| P.O. Box 11280, Columbia, South Carolina 29211 | bwalton@scda.state.sc.us | |||||
| www.scda.state.sc.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2002
Rogers Selected Farmer of the Year for South Carolina
MOULTRIE, GA---Gill Rogers of Hartsville, SC, a successful all-around farmer who has been farming for 34 years, has been chosen as the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year for South Carolina.
Rogers, who was nominated for the honor by Dr. Dawn Fraser of Delta and Pine Land Company, is one of 8 winners from the Southeastern states who are finalists for the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeaster Farmer of the Year honor for 2002.
Rogers farms on 6,900 acres of land that includes 4,800 acres of cotton, 1,750 acres of corn, and 350 acres of soybeans.
He initially started farming with his father at an early age, but then began to farm for himself following the untimely death of his father.
Rogers was chosen for the South Carolina honor in judging conducted by the Clemson University Extension Service, Dr. Mac Horton, state coordinator. He and the seven other state winners will be the guests of Swisher International during the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, GA, October 15-17.
Swisher International, its Lancaster Premium Chewing Tobacco brand, and the Sunbelt Expo are sponsoring this award for the 13th consecutive year. Swisher has contributed more than $500,000 in cash awards and honors since this award was initiated. Additionally, the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year will receive a $12,500 cash award from Swisher International, a year’s supply of Dickies clothing from the Williamson-Dickie Company, the use of a Massey Ferguson farm tractor from AGCO, Inc., a custom crafted safe from Misty Morn Safes, and a $1,000 gift certificate from Southern Sates Cooperative, Inc.
As the South Carolina winner, Rogers will receive a $1,500 cash award from Swisher International, an expense paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo and a $500 gift certificate from Southern States Cooperative.
Rogers Brothers Farm is a family run operation that utilizes reforestation, minimum tillage, ultra narrow row production, and diversification into crops such as flax, canola and sunflowers.
Rogers and his wife, Jenny, have three children, sons Lee, 15, Charles, 14, and daughter Rebecca, 13.
Rogers’ farm, and those of all the state winners will be visited by a distinguished group of judges in August before they make their final selection.
For more information about the South Carolina winner, call Les Timms III, 864-583-2695 or email lancasterfarmer@hotmail.com.