From Staff Reports
Members of the BankSouth Board of Directors and leadership team visited Middle Georgia farms on October 19 to learn firsthand about the agricultural industry, its challenges and its importance to local communities.
The visit followed BankSouth’s 2025 acquisition of State Bank of Cochran and reflected the bank’s efforts to strengthen relationships with the people and businesses it serves throughout the region.
The tour included stops in Laurens, Twiggs and Bleckley counties, giving bank representatives an opportunity to hear directly from farmers and agricultural leaders.
“Community banking begins with understanding the people and businesses that make our communities thrive,” said Harold Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of BankSouth. “Agriculture is fundamental to Georgia’s economy, and spending time with these farmers and community leaders gives us a greater appreciation of the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities they navigate every day.”
Reynolds said the bank remains committed to listening, learning and investing in lasting relationships.
A Look at Local Agriculture
The day’s activities included a visit to Josh Howell Farms in Laurens County, where participants learned about peanut farming.
At Herrington Brothers Farm in Twiggs County, Judson and Mark Ross Herrington shared information about cotton harvesting operations.
BankSouth representatives learned that farming involves much more than planting crops and bringing in a harvest. Farmers must also manage equipment, employees, transportation, finances, fluctuating commodity prices and unpredictable weather.
The visits also highlighted the importance of family farming traditions and the challenges of maintaining those operations across generations.
Bleckley County Farm Highlights Forestry
The group also visited Gully Branch Tree Farm in Bleckley County, where Earl and Wanda Barrs hosted discussions about sustainable forestry, responsible land management and the economic importance of Georgia’s timber industry.
The Barrs family has invested in educating future generations through a pavilion designed for school visits, along with educational materials explaining the environmental and economic benefits of forestry.
Tim Lowrimore, President and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, and Johnny Sabo, Director and State Forester of the Georgia Forestry Commission, provided additional perspectives on the industry.
Discussions focused on the challenges of managing timberland over several decades while balancing conservation, changing markets and financial pressures.
Building Relationships Beyond Banking
The day concluded with an evening gathering hosted by Joe and Wendy Meadows.
BankSouth representatives joined local advisory board members, elected officials and community leaders for an opportunity to discuss economic development and the future of Middle Georgia.
Dan Perdue, Chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, addressed attendees about economic development and growth in the Houston County region.
Jed Evans, BankSouth Market President of Cochran/Bleckley County, said the opportunity to bring the bank’s leadership into the communities it serves was meaningful.
“One of the things that makes community banking special is the relationships we build with the people we serve,” Evans said.
“Having our Board and leadership team spend time here, meet our farmers, and hear firsthand about the opportunities and challenges facing our communities means a great deal. These are the relationships that have always been at the heart of banking in Middle Georgia, and we’re excited to continue building on that foundation as part of BankSouth.”
In appreciation of the Meadows family’s hospitality, BankSouth made a donation in their honor to Sacred Roots Farm, a Georgia nonprofit operating a working farm and residential recovery program for women who have survived sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
For BankSouth, the visit provided an opportunity to better understand the agricultural operations, family traditions and economic challenges that shape Middle Georgia.
The bank, headquartered in Greensboro, operates branches in Cochran, Dublin and several other Georgia communities.
Photos Bank South
Leave a Reply