The 4th Annual Ag-Grow Expo, hosted by Bulloch County Recreation and Parks, brought a vibrant, educational, and fun-filled atmosphere to the Ag Complex on February 28 and March 1, 2025.
With hundreds of students, farmers, and families enjoying the activities, the event highlighted the importance of agriculture and farming in the local community while giving a special thanks to Bulloch County’s hard-working farmers.
On Friday, students from Metter Elementary School and 6th-grade students from all of Bulloch County’s schools, roughly 200 students total, participated in the educational sessions. The expo's purpose was to bring agriculture education closer to the public, allowing students to learn directly from industry professionals and gain hands-on knowledge of farming practices.
The excitement continued Saturday, when the general public was invited to join the fun. Approximately 150 attendees, especially families with young children, came to enjoy interactive exhibits and demonstrations.
Kimberly Sharpe, Events & Communications Coordinator for Bulloch County Recreation and Parks, expressed her satisfaction with the turnout and the educational opportunities provided, especially on Friday.
"We were very happy this year with our educational opportunities," Sharpe said. "Next year, we hope to see some of our larger agriculture experience vendors as those fall on a district rotation." So mark your calendars for next year's Ag-Grow event!
The event also served as a heartfelt thank-you to local farmers, with the Farmer's Appreciation Dinner, a tradition that not only celebrates the farming community but also emphasizes the importance of building strong local connections.
A standout moment this year was the introduction of the Farmer's Wife of the Year award during the Farmer's Appreciation Dinner. This year’s recipient, Robin Brannen, was honored for her contributions to the farming community. "The dinner and event were originally put together by a committee of farmers' wives," Sharpe shared.
Educational vendors represented included the Georgia Peanut Commission, the Bulloch County Farm Services Agency, Bees Knees, Ogeechee Technical College, Bulloch County 4H, and more.
The event was sponsored by AgSouth Farm Credit, Bulloch Solutions, Shea Tractor, Bulloch County Farm Bureau, Excelsior EMC and the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro.
Sharpe and the Bulloch County Recreation and Parks team are already planning for next year’s Ag-Grow Expo, which promises to build on the success of this year’s event.
One of the next major events on Bulloch County Recreation's schedule is ArtsFest on April 26, 2025, where local artists and residents will come together for another day of community-geared fun. Mark your calendars now!
