Ag is Big Business, Kemp Says

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

Photos by Frank Sayles Jr.

The 45th Annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition opened its three-day show Tuesday in Moultrie and visitors to the ABAC Building were welcomed with hot, boiled peanuts on a chilly morning.

AGRICULTURE BIG BUSINESS IN GA, REGION

GOV. BRIAN KEMP TELLS SUNBELT AG EXPO LUNCHEON

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

"Farming means business in Georgia and the Southeast, and business is booming," said Gov. Brian P. Kemp during the opening day luncheon at the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo at Moultrie's Spence Field.

Called "North America’s Premier Farm Show," the 45th anniversary Sunbelt Ag Expo brings together all segments of agribusiness – farmers, business leaders, equipment manufacturers, educators, legislators, and consumers for a three-day educational celebration of agriculture in the Southeastern United States.

"It's incredible what's going on in the Southeast," Kemp said. "There has been tremendous economic growth. The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth in the South is outpacing the Northeast."

The governor noted that Georgia has been ranked the No. 1 state for business for the 10th consecutive year, and he said agriculture plays a large role, adding $73.2 billion to the state's economy and 340,000 jobs.

"I'm excited to see what's happening in rural parts of the Southeast," Kemp said. Among recent business investment in Georgia, "82% is going to communities outside of the Atlanta area," he said.

During the Sunbelt Ag Expo luncheon, Steve Cobb of Lake City, Ark., was named Southeastern Farmer of the Year. The Farmer of the Year in Arkansas, Cobb was selected the region's top farmer from among other state farmers of the year in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Georgia's Farmer of the Year, who vied for the Southeastern title, is Bart Davis of Doerun.

The Sunbelt Ag Expo is open to the public and continues through Thursday. More than 1,200 exhibitors are displaying and demonstrating products at the 100-acre site, including the latest innovative farming equipment. More than 300 educational seminars and demonstrations are being offered for such topics as beef, dairy, poultry, forestry, pond management, equine, and cattle management; backyard gardening and healthy recipes; and cooking demonstrations from expert chefs.

The Expo's adjacent 600-acre research farm offers field demonstrations involving harvesting various crops. And among activities are a daily cow-milking contest, antique tractor parade, and antique tractor pull.

Show Director Chip Blalock said the Expo has a $20 million impact on the area and attracts thousands of people.

"For three days, we're the largest city in South Georgia," he said.

The Sunbelt Ag Expo is open 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wednesday and until 4 p.m. Thursday. Admission at the gate is $10 per person per day. The location is four miles southeast of Moultrie on Highway 133. For information, visit sunbeltexpo.com

Grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are always popular at the Georgia Peanut Commission's building at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.

MOTHER NABBED IN TIFT, CHARGED IN DAUGHTERS' KIDNAPPING

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A woman was arrested in Tift County on Tuesday and charged with two counts of kidnapping after her two young children were abducted Sunday from a Burger King in Columbus, authorities say.

Kaila Spires, 39, the mother of the 11-year-old and four-year-old, faces kidnapping charges. The children were located unharmed in South Georgia shortly before noon Tuesday, police said.

An "Amber Alert" had been issued for the children after they were abducted at about 11:52 a.m. Sunday from the Burger King restaurant in Columbus. According to the alert, the children were believed to have been in extreme danger.

Spires, who is from the Fitzgerald area, is expected to be extradited to Columbus.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Columbus Sgt. L. Zieverink, 706-225-4384, lzieverink@columbusga.org

AUSTIN SCOTT'S SHORT-LIVED BID FOR U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

For a few hours Friday, folks in Washington, D.C., and the national news media were scrambling to find out who was this Congressman Austin Scott of Tifton, Ga., who suddenly stepped forward as a candidate for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Scott caught most people off guard, even those close to him, with his last-minute announcement.

"I have filed to be Speaker of the House," Scott said on social media Friday. "We are in Washington to legislate, and I want to lead a House that functions in the best interest of the American people."

But just hours later, the Republican House conference endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as the speaker nominee, and Scott agreed to back him.

In a note to constituents Tuesday, Scott wrote: "This past month in Washington has been tumultuous for the Republican Party as we have grappled with the challenges of electing a new House Speaker. ... On Friday, I felt called to file against Rep. Jim Jordan so that our conference had a choice between two candidates who deeply care for our country and an opportunity to participate in democracy rather than have a leader win by default."

Scott added: "I highly respect Jim Jordan. He is an asset to the Republican Party and our nominee for speaker. Our conference has spoken, and now we must unite behind Jordan so we can get Congress back to work."

However, in a vote before the full House on Tuesday, Jordan was 17 votes short of capturing the speaker's office. Another vote is expected to occur late Wednesday morning.

SAYLES INDUCTED IN

MARQUIS 'WHO'S WHO'

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Frank Sayles Jr. of Tifton has been inducted in the 125th anniversary edition of Marquis Who’s Who.

Sayles is CEO of Sayles Unlimited Marketing and editor and publisher of the Tifton Grapevine digital newspaper.

As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Sayles has been a publisher and editor of daily newspapers across the Southeast. He has served as publisher of The Tifton Gazette, editor and publisher of The Valdosta Daily Times, group publisher of The Dalton Daily Citizen, editor and vice president of readership of the Beckley (W.Va.) Register-Herald, editor of the Florence (S.C.) Morning News, managing editor of the Bluefield (W.Va.) Daily Telegraph, and assistant metro editor, city editor, and statehouse bureau chief of The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C. He also edited a weekly newspaper, The Tazewell County (Va.) Free Press.

As a political journalist, Sayles has covered the South Carolina General Assembly and governor’s office, reported on the Southern Governors Association and congressional hearings, covered presidential campaigns, and has interviewed four presidents of the United States, including President Jimmy Carter inside the White House Cabinet Room.

He has been involved in industry organizations, serving as president of the Georgia AP (Associated Press) Association in Atlanta, a member of the Georgia Press Education Foundation Board of Directors, a committee chairman of the Georgia Press Association, and has conducted seminars for both the Southern Newspapers Publishers Association and the Georgia Press Association.

Sayles also has served as a management trainer for Thomson Newspapers, conducting seminars across the United States and Canada, and has assisted with Dale Carnegie training courses.

He also has served as administrator of Southern Care Assisted Living in Tifton, and as a city councilman on Tifton City Council.

In Tifton, Sayles is involved in many community activities. He has served as president of numerous organizations, including the United Way of South Central Georgia, the Tiftarea YMCA, the Tifton Rotary Club, the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence, and the Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation. He has served as vice chair of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and serves as chairman of both the Tifton-Tift County Tourism Association and the Tifton Planning & Zoning Commission.

A graduate of Old Dominion University with a bachelor of arts, Sayles was editor of the student newspaper and was inducted in Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and Sigma Beta Tau leadership service society. He was inducted in Who’s Who Among American High School Students while attending school in Virginia Beach, Va.

He is also a graduate of the American Press Institute in Reston, Va., and of the Media Management Center at Northwestern University.

A native of Norfolk, Va., Sayles and his wife Bonnie have one son, Nick, of Dahlonega.

Since 1899, when A.N. Marquis printed the first edition of Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians, and executive search firms around the world.

Tifton First United Methodist Church

invites everyone to come out and enjoy an evening of Family Fun as the Fall Festival returns to Tifton First on Wednesday, October 25th.

107 12th Street West

Tifton, Ga.

ALAPAHA TREE FARMER

FINALIST FOR NATIONAL TREE FARMER OF YEAR

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Heather Brasell of Alapaha was recently selected as Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for the Southeastern United States by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS). This makes her one of four finalists for the national award.

She was Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year for 2022.

The ATFS provides a chain-of-custody certification for timber that comes from property where sustainable forestry practices and good stewardship of wooded land are practiced.

The award recognizes private landowners who grow renewable forest resources while protecting clean water, wildlife habitats, and recreation, and who increase public understanding of the benefits of best forest management practices.

Brasell took over management of her property from her late husband, Murray Gaskins, in 2009. The property has been in the Gaskins family for almost 200 years.

In addition to managing forest operations on her property, Brasell spends much of her time doing prescribed burns, controlling invasive plants, and restoring a diverse groundcover of native plants to improve wildlife habitats.

A retired educator, Brasell developed the Gaskins Forest Education Center on part of her property as a resource for environmental educators who need a place for field-based workshops, field trips, research, and educational outreach activities. The center has an arboretum, pollinator garden, bog garden, fernery, grasses garden, and a variety of sites that demonstrate varied groundcover restoration and forest management strategies.

She also collaborates with environmental organizations in presenting outreach programs for children, teachers, landowners, and biologists. She organizes two community events each year. "A Day in the Woods," close to Earth Day in spring, brings more than 40 presenters who share activities and interactive demonstrations related to forestry, wildlife, and traditional crafts using natural materials. The annual Pollinator Census event is held as part of the statewide community science program.

As an active member of the Coastal Plain Chapter of Georgia Native Plant Society, Brasell volunteers with conservation projects around the state to rescue plants from roadside construction sites, replant them in protected public sites, restore degraded habitats on public areas, and protect endangered species.

Call 229-848-2366 for information

TIFT INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT ON JOB AS BOE SEARCHES FOR NEW HIRE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

After being appointed interim superintendent for Tift County Schools on Oct. 10, Dr. Jerry Baker began his duties immediately.

Baker said he wants to inspire students to learn and to do so in a way that involves all stakeholders.

“The Tift County Board of Education is very fortunate to have Dr. Jerry Baker serve as interim superintendent joining the board members on the school system’s governance team," said board Chairman Jonathan Jones in a statement released Tuesday.

"Dr. Baker brings extensive experience within education, research, and administration that will strengthen an already strong team of system leaders. Tift County Schools leadership remains focused on providing the very best opportunities for our students to grow and reach their greatest potential,” Jones said.

Baker has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience and recently retired as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Board of Education is looking to hire a permanent superintendent. Former Superintendent Adam Hathaway resigned after being placed on administrative leave indefinitely. The Board of Education has not disclosed reasons placing Hathaway on leave.

Presenting the new home's ceremonial key to M.Sgt. Sherida Grant, who is third from left, are, from left, Kim Valdyke director of construction for building homes for heroes; Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes; and, at right, Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough.

WELCOME HOME!

INJURED VET GIFTED HOME IN TIFTON

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

A military veteran injured in Iraq has been given a new home in Tifton by Building Homes For Heroes, a nationwide nonprofit that has awarded more than 300 homes to veterans.

It is the organization's first gifted home in the Tiftarea.

Retired Army M.Sgt. Sherida Grant was recently gifted a home on Frazier Circle. She was injured by three IED's (improvised explosive devices) during her combat deployments in Iraq. She suffers from PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, and cervical spondylosis.

Her injuries led to her honorable discharge from the Army after serving more than 26 years. Her renovated home is a result of the work of Building Homes For Heroes, Chase Bank – which purchased and donated the home – Lowe's, Advance Auto Parts, and Bill Cooper Construction.

Nearly 90% of the materials used to renovate the home were donated, with Advance Auto Parts being the single largest donor to Building Homes For Heroes. It has donated $18 million during the past eight years, with Lowe's donating an additional $3 million in the past two years.

TRMC NURSE RECEIVES DAISY AWARD

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Melissa Kinsey, a registered nurse at Tift Regional Medical Center, was recently honored with The DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses, part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize top nurses for their efforts.

Kinsey works in the pediatrics unit at Tift Regional and was nominated by one of her patients' parent.

The nomination described Kinsey as “an exceptional pediatric nurse who showed extraordinary compassion and helped (the patient) work through his fear.” The nomination also noted, “It is clear that in addition to clinical skills for the physical healing of her patients, Melissa also possesses a true concern for how her young patients feel emotionally.”

“Melissa is such a positive asset to our unit,” said Jennifer Yancey, pediatrics nurse manager “She really cares for her patients and has a great bedside manner that shows patients and families how much she cares.”

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Praline" is excited for Halloween and decided to dress up as candy corn this year. She would also be happy to find a family of her own. Come visit her at the Tift County Animal Shelter and also see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

PANEL ASKS CITY COUNCIL TO CREATE

'PARK & SHADE TREES COMMISSIONER'

~ OCT. 18, 1906

The Tifton Arbor Day Committee on Oct. 18, 1906, called on City Council to create a position of city commissioner of park and shade trees and that shade trees be planted "around the Tifton public school building, the jail, the courthouse site, and other such places as need." The committee also recommended that "all citizens of the town be required to place, at a convenient location in front of their residences, suitable hitching posts, and that the ordinance of the city against hitching animals to shade trees be more rigidly enforced."