Mar 3, 2025

Southeast Honors: Produce groups honor growers, Extension

Growers depend on county and state Extension agents and personnel to help them solve their agronomic challenges. At the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Association (GFVGA) and the South Carolina Peach Council recognized the contributions of Extension and other industry personnel.

At a Jan. 11 awards breakfast in Savannah, Georgia, Georgia’s fruit and vegetable industry leaders recognized individuals who help growers better grow and market their crops. They also paid tribute to young emerging leaders who were honored throughout the year.

Ty Torrance was recognized with the Donnie Morris Extension Award of Excellence. Torrance, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent in Tifton, Georgia, for Culpeper, Tiff and Worth counties, was honored for his “significant contributions to the agricultural community.”

“As a dedicated county agent, Ty has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting local growers, providing them with timely and accurate information, ensuring their best interests are always prioritized,” said Sam Watson, GFVGA immediate past president and managing partner of Chill C Farms, in Moultrie, Georgia. “His efforts have not only improved the productivity and sustainability of the region’s vegetable production but also strengthened the overall agricultural framework of these counties.”

Austin Hamilton, new GFVGA president and director of agriculture at Southern Valley Fruit & Vegetable in Norman Park, Georgia, praised Torrance’s “exceptional qualities” and work ethic.

“Ty is extremely respectable, very thorough and quick to get an answer for the growers,” Hamilton wrote in his nomination letter. “He always has the growers’ best interests at heart.”

In 2007, Ty’s father, Reid Torrance, a Tattnall County Extension Service Coordinator and considered a national leader in the Vidalia onion industry, received the award.

Andy Harrison, manager of Georgia’s commodity commissions, including the Georgia Vegetable Commission, was recognized for his service to Georgia agriculture.

“This year marks the retirement of a special friend of GFVGA and countless others in Georgia agriculture,” Watson said. “A constant presence at ag events across the state and a true ambassador for ag interests, Andy, we appreciate your passion, your work on behalf of all of Georgia agriculture.”

Jared and Justin Corbett, owners of Corbett Bros. Farms in Lake Park, Georgia, were recognized by Georgia Trend’s 2024 Georgia 500 list of the state’s most influential leaders.

“The Corbett family is no stranger to GFVGA, and Justin and Jared are third-generation farmers at the top of the vegetable growing operations in the Southeast,” Watson said. “Always there when we ask him for help, Justin is also finishing his term as a valuable GFVGA board member.”

Kemp McLeod, a fourth generation peach grower and owner of McLeod Farms in McBee, South Carolina, was honored as 2025’s Mr. Peach. Founded in 1916, McLeod Farms is a diversified farming operation that in addition to peaches also grows a variety of vegetables, berries and melons.

“Mr. Kemp, he’s an extraordinary individual who is a successful, great family man, farmer and businessman,” said Chris Yonce, South Carolina Peach Council president and co-owner of JW Yonce & Sons Farms in Johnston, South Carolina. “Being a fourth-generation farmer myself, I understand that being part of a family farm is not just a livelihood, it’s a way of life from a very young age, and Kemp exemplifies this.”

Ann Margaret Pointer, a partner of Atlanta’s Fisher Phillips law firm, was the third recipient of the Dan Bremer Service Award, which honors those who advocate on behalf of employers and those who support opportunities for ag workers. Pointer has represented management, labor and employment matters for more than 30 years and has been listed in the Legal 500 as a nationwide leader for her H-2A program knowledge.

Additionally, three members of Great American Media Services’ Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 were recognized. The winners were Raynor Churchwell of the Georgia Farm Bureau in Cochran, Georgia; Joshua Grant, a Crisp County Extension agent in Cordele, Georgia; and Anthony Cannon, Southeast area sales manager for Sapal Seed in Parrish, Florida.

Mason Goolsby, marketing coordinator of Shuman Farms in Reidsville, Georgia; and Johnny Lunsford, product manager for L&M Cos., were also recognized for their Produce Business magazine 40 Under 40 recognition.

—  Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor