AQUACULTURE DEMONSTRATIONS IN A FARM PROGRESS SHOW FORMAT: UPDATE ON THE FISH POND AREA AT THE SUNBELT AGRICULTURAL EXPOSITION  

Gary J. Burtle* and Claude Reeves
The University of Georgia
Animal & Dairy Science
2360 Rainwater Road
Tifton, GA 31793
gburtle@uga.edu

The Sunbelt Exposition is a farm progress show that attracts over 100,000 visitors each year to view agriculture and rural living exhibits that showcase technological progress.  Aquaculture has been a part of that show for over 30 years in various exhibit formats.  Early exhibits were part of University tent exhibits or sponsored by aquaculture associations.  Now, two permanent ponds, two tents, and a greenhouse are used to exhibit vendor and extension technology and information.  A committee of aquaculture extension specialists from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia has manned the exhibit and developed plans to reach clients and to attract vendors. After additions, the fish pond area contacts rose from an average of 9,115 between 2006 and 2009 to 12,330 in 2015.  Pass through activity increased from 1,800 to 3,100 after the change.  The number of extension faculty involved increased from 9.25 between 2006 and 2009 to 10.0 from 2011 to 2015.  Expendable resources allotted to the activity were valued at 13,200 or $1.07 per contact.  Estimated impact of the show in sales of catfish and vendor products was $820,800.  Plans for future exhibits at the farm progress show were developed from this experience.