The Sunbelt Ag Expo in Colquitt County highlights cutting-edge research and outreach in the agriculture industry and its positive impact on Georgians. The University of Georgia has a large presence at the expo, which this year included six Leonard Leadership Scholar students from the Terry College of Business who are working with the UGA Archway Partnership.
The students are working on a project to raise awareness and build support for the new community branding for Colquitt County produced by the Vinson Institute of Government.
“Immersing ourselves within the community here has been a priority of ours since we started this project,” said UGA student Grace Hopkins. “The community in Moultrie is welcoming, passionate, value centric, close-knit, and down to earth which has been amazing. They have shown us how important this new brand is for them and it is an honor to be able to help them implement this brand into their community.”
The motto for Colquitt’s branding is “Where Life Grows” and few events capture the combination of community, career and agriculture more than the Ag Expo. While at the expo, students learned about agriculture first-hand and handed out stickers and other materials with the new branding.
“This trip will help us to better target and appeal to visitors and/or permanent residents looking for opportunities in communities like Colquitt County,” said UGA student Murphy Rief. “We can see the huge impact that agriculture has on not just south Georgia, but the U.S. as a whole. Our group can take our experiences interacting with farmers and agricultural colleges to focus our research and guides to fit the needs of current residents and businesses.”
The Leonard Leadership Scholars team members include: Kali Franz, Cumming, Ga.; Lior Granath, Sandy Springs, Ga.; Grace Hopkins, Raleigh, N.C.; Connor Koscevic, Peachtree City, Ga.; Nishant Patel, Suwanee, Ga.; and Murphy Rief, Atlanta, Ga.
