The Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award is one of the most prestigious awards in U.S. agriculture. Each year, ten Southern states pick one farmer each to represent it in the program. One farmer is picked as the top in the region. The honor is big, and the prizes aren’t shabby.

The program’s class of 2016 is the strongest and most diversified group yet.

Each state winner receives $2,500 cash award and an expense paid trip to the Sunbelt Expo from Swisher International, a $500 gift certificate from Southern States cooperative and a Columbia vest from Ivey’s Outdoor and Farm Supply.

The overall winner, announced the first day of the Expo each year, gets $15,000, the use of a Massey Ferguson tractor for a year from Massey Ferguson North America, another $500 gift certificate from Southern States, a Columbia jacket from Ivey’s Outdoor and Farm Supply and a smoker-grill from Hays LTI.

Photos and information provided by John Leidner.