On this episode, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit welcomes a fantastic lineup of experts willing to share their fall weather forecasts and insights to the 2024 peanut and cotton harvest season. This episode features commentary by Climatologist Pam Knox, Attorney and AGvocate Bob Redding, and Cotton Economist Don Shurley.

Pam Knox: Pam Knox is the Director of the University of Georgia Weather Network, a group of 88 automated weather stations across the state which provide weather and climate data to farmers, utilities, Extension agents and private citizens. The network also helps support the National Weather Service by providing real-time weather information in hazardous weather outbreaks to support public safety initiatives. She is an Extension Climatologist in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences specializing in agriculture and climate change and is a past Assistant State Climatologist for Georgia and has also served as the Wisconsin State Climatologist. Pam is currently serving as an author for the upcoming 5th National Climate Assessment on Southeastern climate.

Bob Redding: Bob Redding is a native of Edison, Georgia and has spent his professional life in Washington, D.C. Bob worked on Capitol Hill for twelve years, six years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Chief of Staff and six years in the U.S. Senate as Executive Assistant and later as Chief of Staff, both for members serving on the Agriculture Committees and the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee in the Senate. Bob has served as National Finance Chairman for several Members of Congress and the U.S. Senate.

In January of 1993, Bob opened a lobbying firm on Capitol Hill. He has received presidential appointments to several Federal Advisory Committees at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Bob is considered one of the leading authorities on agricultural legislation having worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and as an advocate for agricultural organizations. He has received numerous awards for his service to the agricultural industry.

Dr. Don Shurley: Don is a retired University of Georgia cotton economist. He spent 28 years on the UGA Tifton Campus. He has continued his cotton work through industry sponsorships, contracts and grants, consulting, print and on-line media, and invited presentations. With34 years’ experience in cotton, Don is widely considered by industry and peers as one of nations leading cotton experts. He is recipient of some of the University of Georgia and College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences highest awards for public service and outreach. Don also teaches ½ time at ABAC teaching commodity marketing and agricultural policy.

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit is an equal opportunity lender. NMLS 691477. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit or the Farm Credit System. No information contained in this podcast shall constitute financial, investment, legal, and/or other professional advice. For questions about the podcast, please contact Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Marketing Manager, Anna Kinchen, at 229-493-0921 or Info@SWGAFarmCredit.com. Please visit our website to learn more at www.SWGAFarmCredit.com.

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit is committed to recognizing women that make an impact in the industry of agriculture, a demographic that continues to grow. Whether in the classroom, in the research lab, in the field, in the orchard, or in legislation, women are the storytellers and champions that the industry needs to ensure its longevity. In this episode of HERE WE GROW, we welcome three leadHERS shedding light on their experiences, go-to resources, and their inspiration behind pioneering new pathways and leading the next generation. This podcast provides commentary by Researcher, Ag Professor, and farmer Carla Sanford, Retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer turned Citrus Farmer and Agvocate Lindy Savelle, and Ag Education Teacher and FFA Advisor Victoria Harrell.

Carla Dean Sanford: Carla earned her Ph.D. at the University of Florida conducting research in beef cattle. She continued research at Montana State University, where she was an assistant professor and beef cattle specialist. She is now back on her family’s diversified ag operation in Decatur County and is an adjunct professor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Carla and her husband, Michael welcomed their first child, Carson, last fall and look forward to raising him on the farm and having him be a part of their own ag operation. Carla is also currently serving as an Adjunct Professor with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Lindy Savelle: Lindy Savelle is a retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer gone “Orangeprenuer”

Upon retirement in 2019 from a federal law enforcement career spanning over 34 years, Lindy was compelled to return to her roots in Southwest Georgia and do something as a “give back” to her community. She and her husband, Perry, began a rejuvenation project of JoNina Farm in Ochlocknee, GA, transforming it into an agritourism commercial citrus grove, all the while developing a USDA certified citrus nursery there called Georgia Grown Citrus. Lindy has worked over the years to help develop the Georgia Citrus Association and the Georgia Citrus Commodity Commission which promote Georgia’s burgeoning citrus industry through networking, marketing, research and education.

Victoria Harrell: Victoria is an agricultural education teacher at Bainbridge High School and serves as an FFA advisor for the Bainbridge FFA Chapter. She has been teaching for 10 years. She is the 2024 Decatur County Teacher of the Year. She is also the 6th generation to live on her family farm in Colquitt, GA. Her passion for agriculture and advocacy began early in life, and she is committed to continue educating tomorrow's leaders about this industry. Victoria is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Career and Technical Education from Auburn University.

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit is an equal opportunity lender. NMLS 691477. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit or the Farm Credit System. No information contained in this podcast shall constitute financial, investment, legal, and/or other professional advice. For questions about the podcast, please contact Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Marketing Manager, Anna Kinchen, at 229-493-0921 or Info@SWGAFarmCredit.com. Please visit our website to learn more at www.SWGAFarmCredit.com.

Episode 27 focuses on ag technology and an equipment outlook for 2024. If you are interested in agricultural advancements through technology and have plans to purchase equipment for your operation soon, this episode is for you!

Johnny Villanueava: Johnny Villanueva is the Managing Partner and General Manager of Flint Irrigation which is an affiliate of Agrispray Drones. He started his drone business a little over 2 years ago in Lee County, Georgia with the purpose to educate, sell and service the general public in agriculture spray drones. Johnny also farms row crops and looked into ag spray drones to solve a need for precision application in small field trials. The DJI Agras line of spray drones allowed him to be on the cutting edge of new farming practices and be more precise in foliar applications. He soon became the local resource for everything spray drones and decided to enter into a partnership with Agrispray drones to meet a growing, fast-paced demand for spray drones on local farms. This demand coupled with on farm education started what we now have as a successful drone retail business.

Ragan Brown: Ragan Brown has been employed with SWGA for over 18 years. She has her MBA from Georgia Southwestern and has held various positions and is currently Residential Lending Unit & Other Financial Services Manager. She started the Farm Credit Express product for SWGA and other farm credits associations and has been working with equipment financing and leasing for the past 10 years. Ragan resides in Leesburg with her husband, Richard and children.

Southwest Georgia Farm Credit is an equal opportunity lender. NMLS 691477. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Southwest Georgia Farm Credit or the Farm Credit System. No information contained in this podcast shall constitute financial, investment, legal, and/or other professional advice. For questions about the podcast, please contact Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Marketing Manager, Anna Kinchen, at 229-493-0921 or Info@SWGAFarmCredit.com. Please visit our website to learn more at www.SWGAFarmCredit.com.