Chamber honors Justin Shealey as Agri-Business person of the year

Earlier this year, Tucker Price, County Extension Coordinator and Agriculture Agent for Cook County, introduced Justin Shealey, a fifth generation family farmer, as the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Agri-Business Person of the Year.

In his remarks, Price said, “From peanuts and cotton, to pine tree seedlings and blackberries, Cook County farmers produce a variety of agriculture commodities.

“What many don’t realize is the demand on a typical agriculture producer. What other profession places as much emphasis on economics, management, and human resources as it does on entomology, plant pathology, and soil chemistry?

“Most people know what the temperature outside is right now; but if you know what the temperature of the soil at 6 inches below the surface is, you might be a farmer. Soil temperature plays a big role in seed germination.

Today anyone can get this information from the weather station behind me. Just go to Georgia weather.net and select Sparks, GA.”

“It’s my privilege to present Cook County’s Agri-Business Person of the Year award,” Price said. “The farmer to be recognized for this award has a true passion for agriculture. Commodities traditionally produced on this individual’s farm include peanuts and cotton. Other commodities produced include watermelons, pecans, and wheat. All commodities produced on their land is accomplished through responsible soil and water conservation practices that ensure a sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture production system.

“Spend five minutes with this individual, and you’ll be impressed not only with his knowledge of agriculture production, but also his understanding of the industry as a whole.

“He is recognized as a leader in agriculture in the entire state. He serves as a member of the Georgia Cotton Commission’s Commodity Group and the vegetable Commission Commodity Group, and he has been recognized by Georgia Farm Bureau for Excellence in Agriculture (2018). This producer is active in the Alapaha Soil and Water District meetings and has served in leadership roles in recognizing and addressing rural stress among the agriculture community.”

Justin Shealey, who is also a member of Young Farmers, said it is important to advocate for family farms through Georgia Farm Bureau. In 2017, he received the Donnie H. Morris Award for vegetable research. This award was in recognition of his research efforts with herbicides and new crops being tested for Georgia.

For 15 years, Shealey has provided assistance to farmers as County Extension Agent in Echols County.

The National Vegetable Industry recently recognized Shealey as one of 2022’s “40 under 40.”

Shealey also serves as District 2 Member on the Greater Cook Planning Advisory Commission. The Cook County Board of Commissioners appointed him to a term from July 2019 to June 2023.

“The recipient of this year’s Agri-Business Person of the Year Award got his influence for agriculture from his grandfather,” Tucker Price said. “And just like his grandfather, he never met a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anybody with an enjoyable sense of humor. His grandfather would be very proud to see him win this award today.

“The recipient of the 2021 Agri-Business Person of the Year is Justin Shealey.”

Shealey told the Adel News that he was deeply appreciative of the award because there are so many others who are just as deserving.

The Shealeys have farmed on the same land since the 1970s on Brushy Creek Road and Register Road. Shealey has 300 acres in cultivation as well as 15 acres of pecan trees.

“It’s a family farm, and a family ordeal,” Shealey said. “It takes all of us to make it work. It’s important that we stay with the family farm model the best we can.”

Shealey agreed that both of his grandfathers were big influences on his life and career. Justin’s late granddad Donald Shealey owned Triple S Pallet, while Justin’s late grandad Gene Sumner farmed in the Lenox and Sparks area. Justin’s father Scott Shealey now owns and operates Triple S Pallet, which produces pallets for commercial and industrial use. Justin’s mom is Toni Shealey. Triple S will celebrate 50 years of being in business in 2023. Justin said he helps his dad with the company as much as he can, but he added, “Daddy is more of a help to me on the farm than I am to him there.” Justin said his dad is skilled at working on equipment and “helps me keep my head on straight.”

Justin and his wife Mandi have been married since 2010. They have two children, Luke, 10, and Caroline, 6. The Shealeys are members of Westside Baptist Church in Adel.

Shealey said that as with his dad, he is thankful for the help that Mandi, a kindergarten teacher at Cook Primary School, gives him with the farm all the time. As examples, she helps move equipment from field to field and checks on the irrigation systems on her way to school.

Farming is a challenging business with the cost of fuel, fertilizer, and chemicals and variable commodity prices, Shealey said, but he noted proudly that his son despite being so young already says he wants to go into farming as a career. Shealey said he is glad that the legacy of the family farm may continue.