GFB News Magazine
Gelber named Georgia Farmer of the Year
by Jennifer Whittaker
Posted on February 15, 2026 8:30 PM
UGA Assistant Dean for Extension Lawton Stewart, left, presented Pete Gelber the 2026 Georgia Farmer of the Year Award at the UGA Ag Forecast on Jan. 23. / Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
As the 2026 Georgia Farmer of the Year, Macon County dairy producer Pete Gelber will vie to be named the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
Gelber, his wife, Dr. Elisabeth Reid, his son, Richard, and business partner, Andre Coen, co-own and operate Barrington Dairy, home to more than 15,000 cows.
The dairy’s Holsteins are milked three times a day in its milking parlors: a 120-stall rotary, a double-42 parallel and a double-35 parallel. Gelber and his partners employ about 200 people.
Gelber was selected for the dairy’s sustainability practices, his high standard for herd health and the emphasis he places on taking care of his employees, Stewart said.
UGA Extension coordinates the selection of the annual award. County Extension agents nominate outstanding farmers. Macon County Extension Coordinator and Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent Madison Warbington Luke nominated Gelber.
“Mr. Pete is a pioneer in his field. He's built a state-of-the-art facility where he focuses on sustainability while maximizing yields and reducing inputs,” Luke said. “Mr. Pete takes care of the people that work for him and his community. He's a leader in the dairy industry and his community.”
Gelber, a native of the Bronx, New York City, became interested in dairy farming as a kid when his parents took their family each summer to their cabin in upstate New York near a dairy. Gelber worked at the farm and later earned a degree in animal science and agribusiness.
After college, Gelber worked for Ron St. John at his western New York dairy. When St. John relocated his dairy to Florida, Gelber worked as herdsman at that farm.
“Ron St. John turned into my mentor, my best friend, my partner, then my banker. He gave me a lot of opportunities, and I took it with both hands,” Gelber said. “We bought these bankrupt dairies called Masstock Dairy in Macon County back around 2000. For a number of years, we tried to run it from Florida and failed miserably. In 2007 I moved up here to run it and bought my partners out in 2013. Besides being proud of having happy cows with super milk production and super milk quality, I’m happy to have happy employees. We have them participate in our profitability. We’re still a family farm. We just have 200 families.”
According to UGA CAES, Georgia is the only Southeastern state increasing its milk production. In the last 15 years, Georgia has increased its milk production 20%.