MOULTRIE, Ga (WALB) - The 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo will recognize outstanding agricultural leaders through its annual Farmer of the Year award.

The prestigious award honors a farmer from the Southeast who demonstrates excellence in agricultural production, sustainability, future planning and involvement in the industry and community.

This year’s program features seven contestants representing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

Each state selects one finalist through a nomination process coordinated by local Extension agents or Farm Bureau representatives. Contestants are evaluated on their farming operations, environmental stewardship, community involvement and plans for the future.

Below are the seven finalists and a summary of each contestant’s farming operation and accomplishments:

• From New York to Georgia: Pete Gelber’s childhood experience at a dairy farm inspired him to pursue animal science at Cornell University. He later became the owner of a major dairy operation in Montezuma, Georgia.
• Large-scale dairy production: Gelber manages more than 10,000 acres and milks approximately 13,500 cows, producing about 1.3 million pounds of milk daily.
• Focus on sustainability: His operation uses manure to fertilize crops, grows feed for its dairy herd and uses breeding programs to improve herd productivity and profitability.

• Family-owned cattle operation: Chuck and Katie Madaris grew CK Cattle in Hope Hull, Alabama, from four Angus cows and 35 acres into a farm spanning more than 3,000 acres.
• Family and experience: After earning an animal and dairy sciences degree from Auburn University, Chuck built the operation alongside his wife and children, who help manage different aspects of the business.
• Quality and sustainability: CK Cattle raises Angus, ChiAngus and SimAngus cattle, focusing on improving genetics, animal care and environmental stewardship.

• Seafood farming: Jeffrey Massey and his wife, Kim Livingston, operate Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood in McClellanville, South Carolina, raising clams and oysters and producing soft-shell crabs and shrimp.
• Diversified business: After starting clam farming in 1999, the family expanded its offerings to provide fresh, locally harvested seafood and strengthen the business.
• Sustainability: Massey prioritizes responsible farming practices, with about 500,000 clams growing in the water to help improve water quality through natural filtration.

• First-generation farmer: Murry Henderson Jr. grew Henderson Farms from 100 acres in 2001 to more than 4,200 acres in Arkansas, growing corn, cotton, soybeans and rice.
• Aviation and agriculture: Alongside farming, he owns Lepanto Crop Service, providing crop-dusting services to other farmers.
• Conservation and growth: Henderson uses cover crops, no-till farming and water-monitoring technology to conserve resources while building a sustainable operation for future generations.

• Fifth-generation farmer: John Gross took on responsibility for Gross Farms in Sanford, North Carolina, as a young man and now runs the operation with his wife, Tina, and their four children.
• Diversified operation: The family grows tobacco, corn and soybeans, while also offering U-pick strawberries, pumpkins, a corn maze and other agritourism activities.
• Environmental stewardship: Gross prioritizes soil conservation, erosion prevention and water quality to protect the family farm for future generations.

• From 41 acres to a growing operation: Glenn Dye started his first-generation grain farm in 2007 while working alongside his father. Today, he farms more than 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans in Virginia.
• Building for the future: After graduating from Virginia Tech, Dye expanded his operation by purchasing and renting land while also selling Channel Seed and agricultural equipment technology.
• Sustainable farming: Dye uses 100% no-till practices, cover crops and variable-rate fertilizer to protect soil health and improve efficiency.

• Family dairy legacy: Woody Larson grew Larson Dairy Inc. in Okeechobee, Florida, into a family-run operation with his sons, Travis and Jacob.
• Large-scale production: The dairy spans 3,500 acres, manages 6,400 milking cows and employs more than 100 people.
• Sustainability: Larson has improved milk production and implemented environmental practices, including wastewater recycling and manure management, to reduce runoff and support farm efficiency.

To learn more about each farmer,click here.

The 2025 Farmer of the Year winners gather at a special dinner in their honor at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.

Pictured in the back row, from left, are Jeff Wilson of South Carolina, Jim Alderman of Florida, Harrell Overman of North Carolina and Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock. In the front row, from left, are Dr. Nealy Barrett of Alabama, Kent Hamilton of Georgia, Steve Hopkins of Virginia and Jeremy Allen of Arkansas.

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