Leadership Decatur County Participants Gain Hands-On Insight into Local Agriculture

Participants from the Decatur County Board of Education—Jennifer Wilkinson, Mycla Palmer, and Ana Baty enjoyed an immersive experience in local agriculture thanks to Leadership Decatur County.🚜🐑

They visited various agricultural facilities, gained hands-on knowledge, and learned directly from industry leaders about the critical role agriculture plays in our community. Special thanks to Anna Kinchen from Southwest Georgia Farm Credit for organizing the day’s activities.

The day began with tours of Decatur Gin and Harrell Ag, where participants got a behind-the-scenes look at operations that drive Decatur County's agricultural success. Lunch was hosted by Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, where President Paxton Poitevent shared insights into their operations. Additionally, Allison Godwin, Farm Credit's HR Manager, highlighted the career opportunities available within the company.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Cloud Livestock Center, where Lindsay Hayes from the UGA Extension Office gave an informative presentation on their agricultural initiatives. Participants then took part in an Ag Panel Discussion with local farmers, discussing the challenges and opportunities in farming today. Dr. Paul Johnson, owner of Providence Dairy, Inc. in Climax, emphasized the significance of agricultural commodities and the daily hurdles faced by farmers.

The session concluded with a unique learning experience led by local 4-H students, who demonstrated the skills required to properly show livestock. Participants even had the chance to show the livestock themselves!