GFB News Magazine

GFB Annual Spring Shootout raises $30,000; GFB Day at the Braves shines spotlight on agriculture

Posted on September 26, 2026 4:27 PM

The 4th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Spring Shootout, benefitting the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), was presented by Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) at Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays & Helice in Griffin in May. 

More than 90 participants formed 23 teams of experienced shooters and first-time competitors. The supporters of Georgia agriculture raised $30,000 for GFA during a day of friendly competition. 

The event presented awards for Top Overall Shooter, Junior Shooter individual awards, Top GFB Team, and Top Teams for each of the three flights of competition.

P.J. Shippey of “Camp’s Killers” earned Top Overall Shooter honors. In the Junior Shooter Division, Jason Ludeman of Villa Rica High School took home first place. In the Sub-Junior Division, Briar Bowlden of Pike County earned first place honors.

Spalding County Farm Bureau’s team “Stihl Shot” won first place in the third flight of competition and won the honors of Top GFB Team. Camp’s Killers was the top team in the first flight of competition. The GFB Insurance 10th District Team “Powell” captured top team in the second flight. 

Many thanks to Top Shot Award Sponsor, Alliant Insurance Services, for providing cash prizes and plaques to award winners. Plaques were provided by Keystone Memorials in Elberton.

Additional prize packages were generously provided by Piedmont Brewery in Griffin, Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays, and Blanche Farms in Bolingbroke.

Congratulations to Brent Moye, winner of the Yildiz Legacy HP shotgun raffle.

Spalding County Farm Bureau's Team, "Stihl Shot", earned Top Team in the third flight of competition. The team had the highest team score in all three flights so it also won the Top GFB Team Award, unseating the GFB Insurance District 10 Team which won the award the three previous years. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis, far right, present the awards to from left, Eric Parker, Craig Yarborough, Steven Green and Josh Wildes. /Photo courtesy of GFA    

P.J. Shippey, center, won the Top Overall Shooter Award. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis present the award. /Photo courtesy of GFA   

The “Camp's Killers” Team claimed Top Team in the event's first flight of shooting. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, far left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis, far right, present the awards to from left, Brent Wiley, P. J. Shippey, Nathan Baker and Jeff Camp. Shippey also earned Top Overall Shooter honors. /Photo courtesy of GFA    

GFB Insurance District 10’s “Powell” Team finished as the Top Team in the second flight of shooting. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, far left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis, far right, present the awards to, from left, Steven Powell, Michael Purvis, Lanier McCurdy and Steve Powell. /Photo courtesy of GFA    

In the Junior Shooter division for ages 14-18 years old, Jason Ludeman, center, of Villa Rica High School took home first place. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis, far right, present the awards. /Photo courtesy of GFA    

In the Sub Junior Shooter division for ages 13 years and under, Briar Bowlden of Pike County, center,  took home first place. Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Development Coordinator Whitney Sangster, left, and Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance General Manager Gary Willis, far right, present the awards. /Photo courtesy of GFA    

The Georgia Foundation for Agricutlure thanks the many businesses and organizations who sponsored the annual Spring Shootout to raise money for GFA programs. /Photo courtesy of GFA

Top Shot Award Sponsor, Alliant Insurance Services, provided cash prizes and plaques to top teams and shooters. Plaques were made by Keystone Memorials in Elberton.

Additional prize packages were generously provided by Piedmont Brewery in Griffin, Cherokee Rose Sporting Clays, and Blanche Farms in Bolingbroke.

Congratulations to Brent Moye, winner of the Yildiz Legacy HP shotgun raffle.

Mammoth Arms, a Griffin-based manufacturer, provided a special post-lunch demonstration. Guests had the opportunity to watch a flamethrower demonstration, try their hand at using the flamethrower, and view a variety of locally crafted products.

The 2026 Spring Shootout raised more than $30,000 to support the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s mission to prepare the next generation of Georgia farmers and leaders for success in agriculture.

GFB Day at the Braves shines spotlight on agriculture 

Thank you to everyone who joined the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) for GFB Day at the Braves June 7! We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating Georgia agriculture and cheering on the Braves.

This year's event welcomed 321 attendees and raised $14,900 to support the GFA. These funds will be invested in ag education programs, scholarships, and farmer-focused programs across Georgia.

We loved seeing all the creative signs, photos and memories made that day. Congratulations to our sign contest winners: Taylor Outlaw and family of Wilkinson Co.; Michele Loar & family of Brooks County; Allison Barrett of Habersham County; and April & Jason Thompson of Baldwin County. Each winner received a $100 gift card.

Gabe & Taylor Outlaw were one of the winners of the sign contest held at the GFB Day at the Braves. /Photo courtesy of Taylor Outlaw. 

Michele Loar, far right, & her family of Brooks County, were one of the winners of the sign contest held at the GFB Day at the Braves. /Photo courtesy of Michele Loar. 

Allison Barrett, of Habersham County, was one of the winners of the sign contest held at the GFB Day at the Braves. /Photo courtesy of Donna Barrett

Jason & April Thompson, of Baldwin County, were one of the winners of the sign contest held at the GFB Day at the Braves. /Photo courtesy of Jason & April Thompson.