MOULTRIE — The state of Kentucky is showing all it has to offer as the Spotlight State of the 31st annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition.

Jay McCants, coordinator of the Kentucky tent at Expo and director of the Young Farmers Program and assistant director of the Organization Division of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, said this is the first time Kentucky has ever been named the Spotlight State.

“We’re privileged to be out here and show the diversity of Kentucky,” McCants said.

Along with the Kentucky Farm Bureau, McCants said the University of Kentucky and The state Department of Agriculture had a specific focus to show visitors. The Department of Agriculture showcased tractor and ATV safety, stressing to farmers to get tractors equipped with seatbelts and rollover protection. The state has an award-winning farm safety program.

The University of Kentucky was highlighting its pulling tractor, developed by agriculture students, McCants said. Representatives from the university were also on hand to discuss the school’s equine and other agricultural programs.

The Kentucky booth was set up with tobacco leaves drying, which McCants said allowed visitors to have the tobacco barn effect. The state grows burley and dark fired tobacco plants, and the state has been a leader in tobacco production.

McCants said the state has also taken advantage of a government settlement with tobacco comapnies. As part of the settlement, the state has spent between $250 and $300 million to create a more diverse agriculture. Funded through the settlement have been grape vineyards, cattle, goats and genetics research.

Visitors to the booth will also see videos of scenery from Kentucky and hear music featuring musicians from the state, McCants said. It is designed to allow visitors to see what Kentucky has to offer.

“We want people just to get a glimpse of what we see every day,” McCants said.