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Redmond named Georgia Farmer of the Year
by Jennifer Whittaker
Editor, Georgia Farm Bureau News
Posted on February 29, 2024 3:51 PM
A highlight of the Georgia Ag Forecast was UGA Extension announcing Effingham County’s Bruce Redmond, second from right, as the 2024 Georgia Farmer of the Year. Congratulating Redmond on the honor were from left, UGA CAES Dean & Director Dr. Nick Place, Effingham County Extension Agent Blake Carter & UGA Extension Assistant Dean Dr. Mark McCann. / Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
UGA Extension named Effingham County’s Bruce Redmond as the 2024 Georgia Farmer of the Year at the Georgia Ag Forecast held Jan. 26.
Redmond will vie against farmers from nine other Southeastern states for the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year title. The award recognizes excellence in agricultural production and farm management along with leadership in farm and community organizations. The winner will be announced Oct. 15 at the Sunbelt Expo luncheon.
Redmond started farming on his own, growing peanuts and cotton. He took over the family's operation, Shiloh Farms, after his dad, Larry, died in 2018. Today, Bruce farms 2,800 acres of rented and owned farmland, including both dryland and irrigated acres of peanuts and cotton. Shiloh Farms has grown certified Tifton 9 Bahiagrass seed since the 1990s and is now the largest producer of certified Bahiagrass seed in the Southeast.
Redmond has served on his local USDA Farm Service Agency Committee for seven years. He supports Effingham 4-H and the Effingham Young Farmers Association and is an Effingham County Farm Bureau member.
He was named the 2023 Effingham County Friend of 4-H, the 2022 Georgia Outstanding Young Farmer by the Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents, and the 2012 Young Farmer of the Year by the Effingham Young Farmers Association.
In 2021, he was recognized as the Conservationist of the Year by the Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District, who honored his father with the same recognition in 1993.
Redmond and his wife, Jillian Redmond, have three daughters, Lainey, 8; Ellie, 4; and Shiloh, 2.
“This is a great moment to remember the greatest asset of Georgia agriculture, and that's the Georgia farmer. Never forget that,” said Mark McCann, assistant dean for UGA Extension, who presented the award. “Each year, we solicit nominations from county agents across the state for outstanding and innovative farmers.”