Farm Press and The Cotton Foundation celebrated the 30^th Class of High Cotton winners with a packed room at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show in Memphis, Tenn.

The four High Cotton honorees were recognized at the annual High Cotton Breakfast for producing high-yielding, quality cotton using sustainable practices. They were also commended for their industry involvement and advocacy.

The 2024 winners are as follows:

Each honoree was given an opportunity to say a few words. Here’s a glimpse at what they had to say following their presentation.

A word of thanks

Andy Wendland, Autaugaville, Ala.

“This award was absolutely a surprise,” Wendland told the crowd. “I am honored to be considered and appreciate the recognition. I imagine, like most farmers here, you don't expect that. You don't like to be out front. I don't. I'm kind of behind-the-scenes guy and so this is a little out of my wheelhouse, but I'm certainly grateful for it.

“As farmers, we’re doing what we think we need to do to take care of the land, take care of the farm. We don’t really think what we do is unique or makes us stand out. But it’s just doing what we feel like we need to do to take best care of our land and our place for future generations.”

Related:High Cotton Awards video honors winners

Edward Greer, Rayville, La.

“It was an emotional moment when Brent told me I got it and asked me would I accept the award. I don't remember every detail of everything I said, but my first thought was me and my father, growing up in a cotton family on a cotton farm,” Greer said. “My dad and mom would be so proud.”

“I want to thank Farm Press, The Cotton Board, every sponsor and my family. It takes all of us to make it work,” he told the crowd. “And I have a support crew of friends. I've got a consultant here [at the breakfast] that works with us very faithfully. I've got a banker that believes in us and my ginner is here, too. He was recognized as Ginner of the Year last night.

“I’ve got a family, my friends, and my support crew. This means a lot.”

Richard Gaona, Roby, Texas

“When Shelley told me I had won the award, I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” Gaona said. “It’s a great award.

“The first thing I want to do is thank the sponsors for contributing to make this award more possible. Without them, we wouldn't be able to have this.

“I am humbled and honored to be here with this group of producers for across the U.S. Cotton Belt. I want to thank my parents for their work ethic, especially my dad, who instilled in me to take care of this land that our Lord above provided for us to farm. And to leave it in better shape than when we received it and to be receptive to new farming practices and opportunities.”

Related:30th High Cotton class recognized

Jerry Rovey, Buckeye, Ariz.

“I’m really honored to be here,” he said. “I'd like to thank all the many people who supported me in this High Cotton award.

“When Todd [Western Farm Press associate editor] told me, I responded, ‘Who put you up to this?’” he told the crowd drawing a laugh. “I’m humbled for being up here and thankful to everybody who wrote a letter and recommended me.

“I’ve got my two sons here, Dean and Todd, and my wife, Diane. She’s the kingpin of our team. We raised six children and all are involved in agriculture in one way or another.”

Rovey spoke of his region’s water issues and ended his acceptance speech with this quote by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. “The former President said it best, ‘Farming looks might easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re 1,000 miles from a cornfield. With that, I express my heartfelt gratitude and all who are involved.”

Farm Press/The Cotton Foundation

Brad Haire, Farm Progress Senior content director, also addressed the audience filled with the winners and their families and friends and industry professionals.

“The High Cotton Award program stretches across the Cotton Belt and honors top cotton producers who share their production methods, challenges, successes and how they use technology and techniques to efficiently, soundly and sustainably grow cotton, leaving the land better,” Haire said. “They’re true stewards of the land and of the cotton industry.”

Farm Progress Senior Vice President for Operations Greg Frye congratulated the winners for their “outstanding achievements.”

“The High Cotton Award was conceived for the idea of recognizing what growers are doing to achieve their goals for consistently high yields and premier quality cotton, while instituting practices that protect natural resources and enhance the environment,” Frye said. “This year marks the 30th Class of High Cotton Award winners, and each class continues to impress with their innovative techniques that achieve high yields in quality of the product while protecting the environment.”

Chad Brewer, The Cotton Foundation director of technical services and executive director, acknowledged that over the last 30 years, 120 producers have received “this prestigious” High Cotton Award.

“I commend Farm Press for providing that recognition through this award and applaud them for taking on the task to identify these exceptional recipients among the multitude of farmers actively engaged.

“Farmers may not advertise it, but they have a bond with the land. They know the land provides for them as long as they provide for the land. Make no mistake, this is a prestigious award. The competition is massive. And the winner of this award has shown great conviction to enhance the health of their lands for future generations to come.

“I thank each recipient for their leadership to develop, demonstrate and share ways to enhance our farmlands and ecosystems, preserving a future for the profitable agriculture production.”