ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2002

Sunbelt Ag Expo- October 15-17

MOULTRIE, GA--- Established in 1978 at Spence Field in Moultrie, Ga., the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this year October 15-17 in Moultrie, Ga.

This year over 30 companies will mark their silver anniversary exhibiting at the Expo. While honoring its past, the Expo will continue its strong focus on the future by showcasing the latest in agricultural innovation and technology.

"As American agriculture continually changes, the one constant is the Sunbelt Expo," said Ricky Brown, vice president of Brown Manufacturing Corp, a 25-year exhibitor. "It is the one place where you can show your new product to 200,000 visitors in a three-day period."

The Sunbelt Expo is the largest farm show in the world with on-site field demonstrations. Shuttles transport visitors to Harvesting & Tillage Demonstrations on the show’s 600-acre working farm. With over 1100 exhibitors displaying their products and services, the Expo offers something for the entire family. The Turf industry will find sod harvester demos in the fields, a new reverse tiller, and a variety of sprig planters. For the growing interest in Vegetable production, the Expo will showcase a new seed planter that can plant any size seed and a prototype of an automatic vegetable transplanter.

The Livestock Pavilion abounds this year with a combination of advanced and fundamental products for ranchers. Visitors will learn more about the field of beef and dairy genetics—utilizing elite bulls of all breeds—and the use of external ultrasound for pregnancy check, rib eye measurement, fat depth, and marbling in cattle. Tried-and-true products have been improved for convenience--such as the latest portable, low-maintenance cattle guards.

In the Forestry area, there is an increased emphasis on management-planning tools--which include inspection, evaluation, and mapping services. Responding to the move toward integrating forestry with Wildlife Management, the Expo will also provide information on market analysis and habitat enhancement--with Steve McKenna presenting seminars on planting food plots for wildlife.

Hunting and Fishing enthusiasts will be introduced to an array of products to serve their needs--such as a two-man bass boat, a floating dock, and trailers that convert to deer stands. The show’s popular ATV section will broaden its selection again this year with utility vehicles for specific uses. New on the market are the Clays Car, developed primarily for sporting clays courses, and the Shuttlebug, an exciting concept in wheelchair travel. And the Lawn and Garden section is not just for mowers anymore….Look for genetically superior black walnut trees and a portable worm composter.

The Expo’s Family Living building will have a potpourri of utilitarian and artistic items to enhance everyone’s day-to-day activities. Kitchen Craft is sponsoring live demonstrations on specialty kitchen equipment for healthy gourmet cooking. American Memory Prints offers a trip down memory lane with its antique tractor art.

Edu-tainment rounds out the Expo’s roster, with: • A perennial favorite—the American Grand Finals sheep/cattle stock dog trials; • A "Wheel of Energy" game show sponsored by Georgia’s Electric Cooperatives; • Performances by the Georgia 4-H Clovers Etc. and Abraham Baldwin College’s dance team and jazz choir/band.

Florida, the spotlight state for 2002, will promote its theme "Florida is America’s Garden" with several educational and hands-on displays. The Sunbelt Expo will welcome Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson as the keynote speaker at the show’s annual noon luncheon.

The Sunbelt Expo hours are 8:30 am to 5 pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 8:30 am to 4 pm on Thursday. Admission is $5 per person/per day. Children 6 and under are admitted free with parent. The show site, Spence Field, is located four miles southeast of U.S. Highway 319 on Highway 133 near Moultrie, Ga. For more information, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com or contact the Expo office at info@sunbeltexpo.com, (229) 985-1968, Fax (229) 890-8518, 290-G Harper Blvd, Moultrie, Ga. 31788.

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