Expo Field Day in Moultrie transforms into two-week drive-through event

MOULTRIE – For decades, the summer Sunbelt Expo Field Day meant a lengthy trip on a tram in the often brutal July heat. That changed somewhat with COVID-19 precautions when drivers took their personal vehicles around to view the various field plot stations.

For 2024, the annual event that offers a look at seed and chemical varieties as well as the chance to check up on the latest ag research is transforming into a two-week opportunity to take a leisurely tour.

From July 10-24 the field roads at the 600-acre Darrell Williams Research Farm will be open for traffic from sun-up to sun-down, with a mix of low- and high-tech methods of passing along information. Farmers and others interested in agriculture can either pick up pamphlets about topics they’re interested in or listen to pre-recorded video presentations featuring university research and company representatives.

“We’re going to make it convenient for farmers,” Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock said. “You can hook it up to your bluetooth, have the AC going with your windows rolled up, no gnats, with videos at sunbeltexpo.com. Just listen to the videos in your truck. You can also go out and walk in the plots.”

Prior to the COVID pandemic, about 200 people came out for field day. The 2023 attendance was at about 80.

With a two-week window, that attendance should pick up. In the past, Blalock said, farmers often had something else going on the date for Field Day, and now they can pick a time that fits into their schedule.

“I’ve heard them say, ‘I was going to go, but it was a perfect day for spraying,’” Blalock said. “This just gives a lot of flexibility to the farmer.

“Our team works all year to have the best-looking farm around. We want the Expo farm to showcase what a farm should look like. We look forward to welcoming farmers to look at the crops in July and invite everyone to come back in October for the Expo.”

Attendees also can focus on the subject or subjects that most interest them instead of the frequent stops of the trams making the entire tour.

“With the drive-through, if you’re interested in cotton and peanuts, you can go see the cotton and peanut plots,” Blalock said. “We’re just trying to make it more flexible for the farmers.”

The pre-recorded segments will include contact information for getting in touch to have additional questions answered.

The Expo recommends bringing a smart phone or tablet with which to view the videos. Visitors should enter at Gate 2 and follow the signs. They may pick up a map of the site.

University of Georgia researchers, extension specialists and agricultural chemical representatives conduct numerous trials at the Sunbelt Expo research farm for all of the major crops grown in the region.

To view more specific Field Research Days details, go to www.sunbeltexpo.com.

“Every year, our mission is to provide a place where research can be done to benefit all row crop and forage farmers,” Expo Farm Manager Cody Mitchell said. “We enjoy working with the researchers and helping them disseminate the information to the farmers.”

File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]

File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]