DATE:    9/18/98
CONTACT: Bruce Johnson,  (803) 365-6715
WRITER:  Bill Baker,  (864) 656-3875

Conway Man Named S.C. Farmer of the Year

     CLEMSON -- Jerry Edge of Conway has been named the 1998
Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year for South Carolina. 
     Edge joins seven other outstanding southeastern farmers
chosen to represent their home states. One of these eight winners
will be named the Lancaster/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer
of the Year winner during the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition
scheduled for Oct. 20-22 in Moultrie, Ga. 
     After the sudden death of his father in 1959, Edge took over
the 25-acre family farm. He has expanded his operation over the
last four decades to a total of 740 acres planted in tobacco,
corn, soybeans and wheat, and 30 head of beef cattle. 
     Edge, 60, was chosen as the state winner in judging
conducted by the state's Cooperative Extension Service. He was
nominated by County Agent Bruce Johnson of Horry County.
     "Jerry's a good farmer who's willing to try new and
innovative things," Johnson said, noting he was one of the first
farmers in the area to build his own greenhouse and purchased a
new plow for deep tillage last year.
     "We try to do a good job on everything we do," Edge said.
"We try new equipment and new techniques. We also try to go to
the seminars Extension puts on to learn more about how to make a 
better profit.
     "We've got many excellent farmers in the county who do a
good job," Johnson said. "I think Jerry's one of the examples who
gives other farmers ideas on how to improve their operations."
     Selected S.C. Young Farmer of the Year in 1968, Edge has
also served on the South Carolina State Soybean Board for the
past 20 years.
     Edge is married to the former Alice Roberts. Their son
Steven helps run the family farm. Their daughter Chrysti is an
editor with the Charlotte Observer in Gastonia, N.C., and their
son Edsol works with Horry Telephone.
     As the South Carolina winner, Edge will receive a cash award
of $1,500 from Swisher International. The Southeastern Farmer of
the Year will be named during the Willie B. Withers luncheon on
Oct. 20 at the Sunbelt Expo. The regional winner will receive
$12,500. Swisher International and the Sunbelt Expo are
sponsoring the award for the ninth consecutive year.
     Edge is joined by winners from the other southeastern
states: Alabama, Homer Tate of Meridianville; Florida, John
Hoblick of DeLeon Springs; Georgia, Glenn Heard of Bainbridge;
Mississippi, Ted Kendall III of Bolton; North Carolina, Phil
McLain of Statesville; Tennessee, Jimmy Tosh of Henry; and
Virginia, James Bennett of Red House.
     Recent South Carolina Farmer of the Year winners include:
David W. Drew of Mullins, 1997; Randy Lovett of Nichols, 1996;
William Greg Hyman of Conway, 1995; Ron Stephenson of Chester,
1994; Henry Elliott Sr. Andrews, 1993; Robert E. Connelly Sr. of
Ulmer, 1992; Charles Snowden of Hemingway, 1991; and C.E.
Thrailkill of Fort Lawn, 1990.
     Stephenson went on to be named Southeastern Farmer of the
Year for 1994. 
                            END