The Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Blessing of the Crops and Farmer Appreciation event on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Hunter Cattle in the Stilson community.
During the annual event, they presented three awards including:
- C.C. Murray Innovator of the Year: Josh Brannen
- Emerging Farmer of the Year: Justin Smith
- Distinguished Farmer of the Year (in memoriam): Chris Thompson
This annual prayer breakfast is held at a Chamber member’s farm every March, and it serves as an opportunity to bring the farming and business community together to bless the crops at the beginning of the season.
This year’s program was held at Hunter Cattle Company on Driggers Road in Brooklet. It began with breakfast followed by welcome remarks by Jennifer Davis, Chamber President/CEO.
“I would like to acknowledge the individuals who have made this event possible. First, the staff of the Chamber, Mandy Broadwell, Landon Haralson and Jeremy Wilburn, the Chamber Board of Directors, our elected officials in attendance today, and most importantly, our sponsors. Thank you to those who invest in the business community and in agriculture,” said Davis.
John Roach with Morris Bank greeted those gathered. “On behalf of Morris Bank, it’s an honor to stand here today among Bulloch County’s dedicated farmers and community members. As we gather to bless the crops, we recognize the tireless efforts of our agricultural community, the backbone of our region’s prosperity. Through partnerships like these, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices and ensuring a vibrant future for Bulloch County’s agricultural heritage. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this special occasion.”
The Blessing: Fennell offers an invocation and open prayer time
Joey Fennell with East Georgia Regional Medical Center led the attendees in prayer as they blessed the crops for this upcoming season.
Fennell offered an invocation, followed by a time for everyone gathered to participate in open prayer.
Keynote: Bill Tyson, UGA Ag Extension, "Farmers provide food and fiber for all"
Tyson discussed many of the benefits that agriculture brings to communities, counties, states, nations, and the world. "As you all know, this is the number one industry in the state of Georgia," he shared and offered a list of twelve key contributions of the agriculture industry:
Economic: "Agriculture is a major driver of the U.S. economy, providing jobs, supporting rural communities, and contributing billions to the gross domestic product," he explained.
Food production: "Agriculture ensures the availability of food for the population, both domestically and for export, maintaining food security."
Employment: "The agricultural industry is considered to be one of the biggest sources of employment, whether it's working as a farmer, custom harvester, technician for farm equipment, scientist, or any other form of employment. Agriculture provides employment opportunities to a huge number of people, reducing the percentage of unemployment and poverty," he shared.
Tyson went on to describe agriculture's impact related to cultural heritage, the local economy, renewable resources, diverse industries, environmental stewardship, rural development, global trade, tourism, innovation and research.
"Bulloch County farming provides a good way of life for all those that live in its communities and towns. Who doesn't like the smell of freshly worked soil in the spring, or the smell of freshly hulled peanuts in September? Bulloch County is very diverse in agriculture, and it is the lifeblood of everything else you thrive off of. This county was built on agriculture, and there's no reason that should not continue to thrive as we move into the future. God bless agriculture and all those who provide such products and services to individuals throughout not only local communities, but to the world," Tyson closed.
Josh Brannen awarded C.C. Murray Innovator of the Year
David Anderson with Shea Tractor presented the C.C. Murray Innovator of the Year award to Josh Brannen.
"Innovation plays a crucial role in farming with increased efficiency, sustainable practices, improved crop quality, resilience to climate change, and economic growth. Innovation in farming is essential for addressing the challenges of food security, promoting sustainable practices, and driving economic growth in the agricultural sector. This award is named after the late C.C. Murray, Dean of Agriculture at UGA and Georgia Agriculture Hall of Famer who awarded the College’s first doctoral degree, purchased the first computer on campus, and opened the Rock Eagle 4-H Center," shared Anderson.
"The recipient is a third-generation farmer based in Register, Georgia. After graduating from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, he returned to his roots to continue the family farming legacy. He currently manages around 800 acres of cotton and peanuts, with experience in growing other crops as well. He is a former member of the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, where he served in leadership roles, and remains an active member of Farm Bureau today. In his spare time, he enjoys shooting sports and is an active member of First Baptist Church Statesboro."
Brannen shared his appreciation and thanked his wife of six months, saying, "we just happened to get married in the most challenging year I can remember." He concluded with a reminder during uncertainty, "First Peter says that we are not redeemed by the things of this world like silver and gold, but by the precious blood of Christ."
Justin Smith awarded Emerging Farmer of the Year
Andy Jones with Tidewater Equipment presented the Emerging Farmer of the Year award to Justin Smith.
"The purpose of this award is to recognize a young, outstanding farmer who has strong roots, a current impact, a current impact and a promising future in agriculture in Bulloch County by distinguishing their selves through participation in community programs and leadership, family activities, civic service as well as displaying outstanding farm operation management," Jones explained.
"This young man is a hardworking and dependable student with a strong work ethic in the classroom, on the farm, and around the community. During a typical week, he spends countless hours helping on his family farm while also finding ways to help around the school and community. He consistently demonstrates the 3 R's - respectful, responsible, and resilient - of being a Portal Panther and productive community member," shared Jones.
Chris Thompson awarded Distinguished Farmer of the Year (In Memoriam)
Greg Sikes with Greg Sikes Farms presented the Distinguished Farmer of the Year Award, posthumously, to Chris Thompson. The award was accepted by his wife, Jamie Thompson.
Sikes shared, "It is with great honor and admiration that we gather today to bestow the Distinguished Farmer of the Year award. This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and outstanding contributions of an individual who embodied the spirit of excellence in agriculture."
"This year, we gather to honor a man who has left an indelible mark on the agricultural community in Bulloch County. This year's recipient and I began farming together from scratch 25 years ago, and continued farming 1,200 acres together even this past year," Sikes shared.
"His commitment to the local community was unmatched, whether trying new ideas in his farm operation, helping others to plant or harvest crops, planting test plots for the extension, or just listening and bouncing ideas off each other. When I try to think of one word to best describe this year's recipient, I think genuine would be the word I would use. If you had a question or problem, you could always ask him for help and he would give you his honest opinion, not what he thought you wanted to hear, but the truth. Being partners in farming in and other business endeavors, we never had an issue we couldn't resolve because he was genuinely worried about everyone's best interest, not just his own," Sikes continued.
"He was truly a genuine person. He invested countless hours into cultivating not only the land, but relationships with all those he came across in the industry and in life. He was the most mechanically inclined person I've ever worked with. Not giving up on fixing any piece of equipment he touched no matter what it took. He would also help anyone who asked him a question about fixing something or solving an issue they were having, and he would research it as if it was his own," Sikes shared.
"For those of you who were fortunate enough to know him, you knew that everything he owned was pristine. Always organized and always clean. I used to joke with him when we picked cotton together, 'Your picker's clean enough. Let's go. It's time to pick cotton,' but he always wanted to make sure it was perfect before he'd start. He was always well respected in our community by young farmers and experienced farmers alike."
"He was always willing to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, and share the wisdom he'd earned through years of experience and hard work. His legacy will live on in the same way he approached every aspect of farming: with integrity, humility, and his attention to detail. For those who knew him, his commitment to excellence will always be remembered. But more than anything, it was the example he set as a person that made him a role model to many."
"Today, as we present the Distinguished Farmer of the Year Award, we do so in remembrance of his unwavering dedication, his humility, and the lasting impact he made on this community. Though he may no longer be with us, his spirit and his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us for many years to come," Sikes concluded.
Jamie Thompson accepted the award on behalf of her late husband and offered her gratitude to the community, "I'd like to say thank you to everyone who's here today. Bo and I appreciate the committee honoring Chris in this way, and also Greg, for your heartfelt words and your willingness to partner with Chris 25 years ago. You took a chance on a man who had never farmed on his own, but I think it worked out all right."
"Chris worked tirelessly to ensure that he left everything better than he found it. Whether that be the land, a piece of equipment, or a friendship, he would not rest until he had absolutely overdone whatever the project was. Chris only had the absolute best of everything, and I think that is most apparent in who he chose to surround himself with. This farming community, and all of the friendships he developed were truly one of his personal, proudest accomplishments. Bo and I thank each and every one of you for your dedication to him in the past and in the future, we look forward to the future of Thompson Farm because we know the example Chris set can produce nothing but excellence," Thompson concluded.
Closing led by Donald Chavers
Pastor Donald Chavers with Agape Worship led the group in a closing prayer, asking for blessings on the ground, the crops, the cattle, that the rain would come in due time and hold off during the harvest, and asked for the Lord to teach us to care for the earth and for each other.
He closed and led the assembly in singing a moving rendition of "Way Maker."
Event Sponsors
The Stateboro-Bulloch Chamber would like to thank the sponsors for supporting this year's event including:
Presenting:
- Morris Bank
Gold Sponsors:
- Bulloch Solutions
- Shea Tractor
- Tidewater Agriculture Equipment
Silver:
- Agri Supply
- BBWH Insurors
- Bobcat/Shoemaker Equipment Supply
- Bulloch Fertilizer
- Joiner Anderson Funeral Home
Breakfast Sponsor:
- Bulloch County Farm Bureau
Community Sponsors:
- AgSouth Farm Credit
- Blanchard Equipment
- Bulloch First
- Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLP
- Deloach Exterminating
- Hall & Navarro