[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 197 (Friday, November 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KENT HAMILTON

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Kent Hamilton of Norman Park, who has been named Georgia's 2025 Farmer 
of the Year.
  Mr. Hamilton serves as the chief executive officer of Southern Valley 
Fruit and Vegetable, a family-owned and family-operated business 
founded in 1987.
  Under his leadership, Southern Valley has expanded to more than 8,500 
cultivated acres across Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Mexico.
  The company grows a variety of fresh vegetables, including green 
beans, peppers, squash, corn, and cucumbers, and employs hundreds of 
hardworking individuals who help bring quality produce to families 
across the country.
  Mr. Hamilton began farming 37 years ago alongside his uncle and late 
brother, starting with cotton, peanuts, and tobacco before 
transitioning to vegetables to ensure year-round productivity.
  Today, Southern Valley is a fully integrated operation that handles 
every step, from seed to shelf.
  Kent's wife and their children each play vital roles in this thriving 
family business, carrying forward a proud legacy of faith, integrity, 
and hard work.

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