Sedrick Rowe
Sedrick Rowe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990 or 1991 (age 34–35) |
| Education | Fort Valley State University |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Website | roweforgeorgia |
Sedrick Rowe Jr. (born 1990 or 1991)[1] is an American farmer and researcher who grows organic peanuts in the state of Georgia. He began farming as a student at Fort Valley State University and was involved in the federal government as part of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers under Tom Vilsack. He is running in the Democratic primary for the 2026 Georgia Agriculture Commissioner election.
Early life and education
Rowe grew up in Albany, Georgia, and attended Fort Valley State University, where he played college football as a running back.[2] As a senior, he began working on an organic farm that was at the school and graduated with a bachelor's degree in plant science.[3]
Farming career
Rowe began his own farm in Albany in 2018, growing organic peanuts.[1] He became part of Georgia's first group of licensed hemp farmers in 2020, following the signing of the Hemp Farming Act by Brian Kemp. Rowe opened his farm in 2020, and held an education course on how to grow hemp in early 2021.[4] It was around this time that he founded the Southern Georgia Young Farmers Coalition after returning from a National Young Farmers Coalition in Colorado.[5]
While farming peanuts, Rowe also worked towards a PhD in soil health.[2] His organic peanut farm is one of few in the state, with the practice described as a "drop in the bucket" of the state's overall production.[3]
Political career
Under former United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Rowe was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers, though the committee was paused following the election of Donald Trump in 2024.[3]
2026 Georgia Agriculture Commissioner election
Rowe qualified to run in the Democratic primary for the 2026 Georgia Agriculture Commissioner election in March 2026.[6]
References
- ^ a b Bentley, Rosalind (May 24, 2019). "New Farm Bill could help Southern black farmers tap loans, keep land". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Tabuchi, Hiroko; Popovich, Nadja (January 31, 2021). "Two Biden Priorities, Climate and Inequality, Meet on Black-Owned Farms". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ a b c Lannigan, Lucille (June 9, 2025). "Southwest Georgia farmer leads the way in Georgia organic peanut venture". The Albany Herald. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ "Albany farmer to prevent hemp 'crash course'". The Albany Herald. December 15, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ Felton, Ariel (June 10, 2021). "Part of Georgia's inaugural group of licensed hemp growers, Sedrick Rowe hopes to inspire a new generation of young Black farmers". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ "Candidates for Georgia state offices in 2026 primary election". The Current. March 7, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.