BankSouth Leadership visits Middle Georgia Farms. (press release.)

Members of the BamSkouth Board of Directors and Leadership team visited Middle Georgia farms October 19 to experience firsthand the agricultural operations, family traditions, and economic realities that shape the region.  The visit, which included stops at local farms and conversations with community leaders, reflected BankSouth’s commitment to understanding the people and industries it serves following its 2025 acquisition of State Bank of Cochran.

“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. We’re committed to being a banking partner that listens, learns, and invests in lasting relationships.”

Their first stop was Josh Howell Farms in Laurens County to learn about peanut farming.  They next visited the Herrington Brothers farm ran by Judson and Mark Ross Herrington to learn about cotton farming.   Throughout the day, BankSouth leadership gained greater appreciation for the many responsibilities agricultural producers manage beyond planting and harvesting. From equipment maintenance, workforce management, and transportation logistics to financial planning, commodity pricing, and unpredictable weather, farming requires a broad range of expertise and long-term decision-making.

At Gully Branch Tree Farm.

The group also visited Gully Branch Tree Farm in Bleckley County, hosted by Earl and Wanda Barrs, where participants learned about sustainable forestry, land stewardship, and the economic importance of Georgia’s timber industry. The Barrs family has also invested in educating future generations through a dedicated pavilion for school visits and educational materials that demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of responsible forestland management.

The program featured perspectives from Tim Lowrimore, President and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association, and Johnny Sabo, Director and State Forester of the Georgia Forestry Commission. Discussions highlighted the challenges of managing timberland over decades, balancing conservation and long-term stewardship with changing market conditions and economic pressures.

The day concluded with an evening gathering hosted by Joe and Wendy Meadows, bringing together BankSouth representatives, local advisory board members, elected officials, and community leaders. Dan Perdue, Chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners, addressed attendees about economic development in the Houston County region, offering additional perspective on the opportunities and growth shaping Middle Georgia.

The evening gathering at the Meadows’.

“One of the things that makes community banking special is the relationships we build with the people we serve,” said Jed Evans, BankSouth Market President of Cochran/Bleckley County. “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’ hospitality, BankSouth also made a donation in their honor to Sacred Roots Farm, a Georgia nonprofit that operates a working farm and residential recovery program supporting women who have survived sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

For BankSouth, the visit was an opportunity to listen, learn, and deepen relationships with the people who make Middle Georgia’s communities and agricultural economy thrive. It is that understanding, built through personal connections and shared experiences, that remains at the heart of community banking.