Kent Hamilton Named Southeastern Farmer of the Year at Sunbelt Ag Expo
Photo by Clint Thompson
Kent Hamilton, Georgia’s Farmer of the Year and CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable Incorporated, has been named the Southeastern Farmer of the Year during this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.
“Kent Hamilton, Georgia’s Farmer of the Year and the CEO of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable Incorporated in Norman Park, Georgia, has been named the Southeastern Farmer of the Year at the Sunbelt Ag Expo.”
Hamilton leads an impressive family-owned agribusiness headquartered in Norman Park, Georgia, with farming operations that span thousands of acres.
“His family operates a company that cultivates more than 8,500 acres across Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, growing green beans, cabbage, trellis cucumbers, peppers, squash, sweet corn, trellis pickles, and even eggplant. Also has a hundred head of cattle.”
Southern Valley is known for being vertically integrated, managing every part of the process from production to distribution.
“Hamilton said Southern Valley is a fully integrated business from seed to the shelf. He said growing within their own greenhouses, harvesting in their own fields, employing their own labor force, and operating their own packing facilities and using their own trucking firm as well. It’s a team working together.”
Hamilton’s operation is truly a family affair, with multiple generations contributing to its success.
“Kent’s daughter Courtney Hamilton Griffin is involved as director of operation. Son Austin, he also works in the operation. And son Presley is involved as well. It’s a family affair.”
“He gives credit to Pam, his wife, for a great operation.”
Being recognized at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, one of the largest agricultural events in the Southeast, underscores the impact of Hamilton’s leadership and the value of family-driven agribusinesses in today’s farming landscape.
“He’s named the Southeastern Farmer of the Year in Moultrie, Georgia.”
Congratulations to Kent Hamilton and the Southern Valley team for this well-deserved honor.
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.