Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year

Massey Ferguson is proud to sponsor the Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program. Since its inception in 1990, the Farmer of the Year program has awarded over $1.2 million to outstanding agribusiness leaders for their excellence in agriculture.

Each year overall winners receive cash prizes as well as the use of a Massey Ferguson^® tractor for one year or up to 250 hours (whichever comes first). State winners also receive gift packages from Massey Ferguson and other sponsors.

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Robert Saunders of Piney River, Virginia, is the 2022 winner of the Swisher/Sunbelt Farmer of the Year award. Robert’s farm began with 542 acres of owned land and has grown to 3,168 acres owned and 91 acres rented. The farm grows woody ornamentals, annuals, perennials, field ornamentals, grafted trees, peaches, nectarines, apples and Asian pears, through both wholesale and retail channels, including the Farm Market, located inside the farm’s historic peach packing shed built in the 1930s.

As the Southeastern Farmer of the Year, Saunders received a $15,000 cash award plus $2,500 as a state winner from Swisher, along with the use of a tractor for a year and other prizes from Massey Ferguson.

Check out the full announcement to learn more about Robert’s farm and experience.

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