Moultrie, GA |
It’s the official kickoff to every Sunbelt Ag Expo — and this year’s Willie B. Withers Luncheon was no different, drawing leaders from both the legislative and educational arenas to celebrate Georgia agriculture. According to Sunbelt Ag Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock, though, the luncheon is about more than a trophy. It’s about honoring everyone in the industry.
“Number one, to honor our farmers — give them the recognition that they don’t desire, but still richly deserve. And it’s a celebration. One of the strengths of our luncheons is that it’s nonpolitical. We’re here to celebrate agriculture and the farmers, their workers and their families, and the allied industries that make it happen,” Blalock said.
The main spotlight of the luncheon was the naming of the 2026 Southeastern Farmer of the Year — an honor that went to Woody Larson of Florida. For Larson, the win was humbling given the caliber of the field he was up against.
“I felt like I won a coin toss, that the judge’s decision had to be a hard one, because as I got to know those guys over the last few days, it’s a high caliber, good set of people with all good operations — even though they’re diverse,” Larson said. “We try to work hard and do the right thing. And I’m sure they do too.”
For Larson, agriculture isn’t just a career — it’s a calling that has deepened with age into something that feels more like a duty.
“Agriculture is something I grew up in, so it’s kind of a way of life for me. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s one of the basic needs of people — to eat. And so, it’s a certain amount of duty, really, to produce food that you’re providing for people. They may or may not appreciate it, but I appreciate being able to provide,” Larson said.
The Southeastern Farmer of the Year wasn’t the only honor handed out at the luncheon. Georgia Farm Bureau also recognized its 2026 Farm Dog of the Year — a title that went to Riggs, an eight-year-old Australian shepherd owned by Kelly Smith, an agriculture teacher who has put Riggs to work both on the farm and in the classroom.
“He’s a red tri. I’ve had him for eight years — got him as a puppy with some hopes to do herding events, agility, some obedience. I’m an agriculture teacher, and he goes to school with me for animal science. He works in veterinary science class, small animal care. We do a little herding on the side,” Smith said.
On the days that matter most, Smith says it’s Riggs’ presence in the classroom that stands out above everything else.
“He’s an asset to our classroom. When kids are having a really bad day, he’s out in the class and the kids are petting him and playing with him. He’s just an all-around excellent dog — and we’re excited about this,” Smith said.
From the Southeastern Farmer of the Year to a red tri Australian shepherd making a difference in a classroom, the Willie B. Withers Luncheon served as the perfect reminder of why the Sunbelt Ag Expo remains one of agriculture’s most celebrated traditions.