The Georgia Cotton Commission’s Trustees’ Awards were presented at the 2026 Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting January 28 in Tifton. The Trustees’ Awards are awarded to individuals who have dedicated themselves to the advancement of the cotton industry in Georgia. Producers, research and extension specialists and other cotton industry associates of high character and integrity who have given exceptional service to the cotton industry are eligible to receive this award.

The award was named after the Georgia Colonial Trustees who set out to create an agricultural colony to expedite agriculture productivity, which led to a ten acre “Trustee Garden” to display “modern” farming techniques. The Trustee Garden was established in 1734 in Savannah, Georgia. Many crops were experimented with that first year, but cotton was the crop that thrived and has been planted in Georgia every year since. Previous winners of the Trustees’ Awards include Louie Perry, Mike Lucas, Bob McLendon, Ronnie Lee, Chuck Coley, Marvin Ruark, and Johnny Crawford.

The recipients of this year’s Trustees’ Awards are Richey Seaton and Martha Collins Harris.

Richey Seaton was born and raised in Twiggs County, Georgia on the family farm. Seaton graduated from the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and went on to serve as the Director of the Commodities Promotion Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. In 1994, Seaton joined the Georgia Cotton Commission as Executive Director. During his tenure, he made monumental strides by re-establishing the office and staff and expanding the research, promotion, and educational programs to help meet the needs of Georgia’s cotton growers and cultivated the Commission into what it is today. Seaton retired from the GCC in 2020. Since retiring, Richey and his son have started a successful tree nursery operation on his family farm. He and his wife Bonnie have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Martha Collins Harris was born in Houston County, Georgia and grew up on her family’s farm. She graduated from Warner Robins High School. Harris joined the Georgia Cotton Commission in 2000 as the Office Manager. During her two decades at the Georgia Cotton Commission, she played a vital role in program coordination and operations. Ms. Harris retired in 2021 from the GCC and has since grown her passion of helping families in middle Georgia navigate the housing market. Martha has two adult children and four grandchildren.

The Georgia Cotton Commission is a producer-funded organization located in Perry, Georgia. The Commission began in 1965. Georgia cotton producers pay an assessment enabling the Commission to invest in programs of research, promotion, and education on behalf of all cotton producers of Georgia. For more information about the Georgia Cotton Commission please call 478-988-4235 or on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission.org.