Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. Presents Bobby Walker Award to Two Georgia Dairymen

January 16, 2024

Georgia Milk Producers Honors Edward Coble and Doyle Weltzbarker as 2024 Bobby Walker Awards Recipients

Edward Coble and Doyle Weltzbarker, Georgia dairy farmers and active leaders in the Georgia dairy industry, have been named the 2024 Bobby Walker Award recipients by Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. The Bobby Walker Award (formerly named “The Friend of the Dairy Industry Award”) recognizes individuals who have advanced the dairy industry in Georgia and is the highest honor awarded by the trade association for Georgia dairy farmers. Colbe and Weltzbarker received the award at the Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. annual awards luncheon on Tuesday, January 17^th during the Georgia Dairy Conference in Savannah, Georgia.

Both Edward Coble and Doyle Weltzbarker have spent the better part of 50 years in the dairy business while advocating for the interests of Georgia dairy farmers and the agriculture industry. “Ed Coble and Doyle Weltzbarker are not only excellent dairy farmers, but they have been exceptional leaders in our industry and important advocates for Georgia dairy farmers for many years,” said Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. President Matt Johnson. “I am honored to say that I have known Ed and Doyle for many years, and I—like many farmers across our state—have learned a great deal about farming, agribusiness, and agricultural policy from them. They have both played a major role in advancing our industry, and we are immensely grateful for their contributions to the Georgia dairy industry.”

“Georgia Milk Producers created the Bobby Walker Award to honor the individuals who have had an outstanding impact on Georgia dairy farmers and their families. Both Edward Coble and Doyle Weltzbarker are exceptional examples of men who have been actively involved in advocating for our industry, supporting fellow dairy farmers, and leading by example in the management and operation of their own farms and businesses” said Bryce Trotter, Executive Director of Georgia Milk Producers, Inc.

Doyle Weltzbarker

Doyle Weltzbarker received a degree in Animal Science from the University of Georgia before entering the United States Air Force where he served as a navigator and ultimately attained the rank of Captain. Upon leaving the service, Weltzbarker relocated to Quitman, Georgia where he purchased West End Milling Co. in in 1961. Weltzbarker went grow West End into a full-service feed mill and buying point serving farmers across South Georgia and eventually sold the business in 2016 after 55 years of leadership. In 1992, Weltzbarker entered the dairy business and founded Brooksco Farm. After operating the farm and West End for nearly six years, Weltzbarker partnered with Calvin Moody to start Brooksco Dairy in 1998.

In addition to his responsibilities at his dairies and West End, Weltzbarker served in several leadership positions on a state and local level.

He served for 20 years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Agribusiness Council and continues to serve as a Director Emeritus representing the needs of the dairy industry within one of Georgia’s largest agricultural advocacy organizations. Weltzbarker has also served on the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Council and has played a role in developing water policy for South Central Georgia since 2007. Locally, he is also a Board Member Emeritus of Ameris Bank (formerly Bank of Quitman) and is actively involved in First Baptist Church Quitman.

Edward Coble

Edward Coble began milking cows in 1956 while attending high school in Simpsonville, South Carolina. He sold his herd of 17 cows in order to enroll at Clemson University where he majored in Dairy Science. Upon graduating from Clemson in 1964, Coble returned to Simpsonville and began renting a small dairy.

Coble married Lana Turner in 1968, and in 1973 the couple welcomed their first child and built their first facility together. Starting with a dream to one day milk 250 cows, Edward and Lana grew their farm while raising four children, each of whom are involved in the dairy industry as adults. In 1998, the Cobles moved to Burke County Georgia in search of new opportunities to grow as their sons James and Joel joined the operation as partners. They built their new farm, Harmony Grove

in 2005. Edward continues to play a vital role in the day-to-day management of the dairy 19 years later. Under his stewardship, the farm has grown to exceed his and Lana’s initial dream of a 250-cow herd as three generations of Cobles continue to operate Harmony Grove Dairy.

In addition to building his dairy farm over the years, Coble has been a dedicated family man, an active member in the local community, and a strong voice for Georgia dairy farmers. Coble served on the Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors for 15 years before retiring from the board in 2022, and he still serves as an informal advisor to many younger dairy farmers who call him for advice. Coble also continues to serve at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro.

The Bobby Walker Award (formerly titled the "Friend of the Dairy Industry" Award) is the highest honor given by Georgia's dairy industry, and is presented annually at the Georgia Dairy Conference. Established in 2003, the award recognizes an individual that has worked to strengthen the dairy industry through leadership, advocacy, and service.

Georgia Milk Producers, Inc., is a non-profit, producer funded organization that strives to provide Georgia dairy producers with timely dairy news and information. Our mission is to support, sustain, and grow the Georgia dairy industry. Georgia Milk Producers serves as an advocate promoting Georgia's dairy industry and educating producers and the public to help build a stronger, more viable industry.