Powering the Future of Food: Valdosta is Emerging as a Southeastern Hub for Food and AgTech Innovation
July 21, 2025
Powering the Future of Food: Valdosta is Emerging as a Southeastern Hub for Food and AgTech Innovation
Straddling the Florida-Georgia border, Valdosta is positioned for continued growth in food production and AgTech, thanks to its rich supply of raw materials and natural resources, a skilled and cost-effective workforce, and unmatched logistics with direct access to major Southeastern markets.
Located in one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions, Valdosta, Lowndes County, has a pro-business climate and infrastructure that supports expansion. The region is ideal for companies scaling their food processing operation or launching the next wave of AgTech.
When Walmart, America's largest retailer, sought to expand its dairy operations, it identified Valdosta as the ideal location. The company is investing $350 million to build a state-of-the-art milk processing plant that will use ingredients sourced from local farmers to produce fresh, high-quality dairy products. Slated to begin operations in late 2025, the facility will supply more than 750 Walmart and Sam's Club stores across the southeastern United States.
"Valdosta's growing footprint in AgTech and food production underscores our region's strategic position as a leader in agricultural innovation. By supporting cutting-edge companies like CJB Applied Technologies and Salvus, we're not only fueling economic growth but also helping shape the future of food and crop production across the Southeast and beyond." --Niki Ogletree, President and CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority.
"Walmart's decision to build its new dairy processing facility in Valdosta is a game-changer for our region," said Niki Ogletree, President and CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority. "This investment will strengthen our local economy and further establish Valdosta-Lowndes County as a leader in food production. It's also a major win for our agricultural community, creating new market opportunities for local farmers and reinforcing our region's agricultural prominence."
Valdosta is also gaining momentum as a hub for AgTech innovation, serving as home to leading chemical manufacturing companies specializing in crop protection, including Corteva Agriscience and CJB Companies, which includes CJB Applied Technologies and Salvus.
CJB Applied Technologies, based in Valdosta’s Miller Business Park, is celebrating 10 years of driving innovation in product formulation, process development, and pilot plant services for both startups and multinational corporations.
"We are excited for the future of CJB Applied Technologies," said Clinton Beeland, founder and CEO of CJB Companies. "We've built a strong leadership team with deep expertise in analytics and AI, a sharp understanding of market needs, and a focus on customer relationships. The company is positioned to redefine how technology, digital innovation, and elevated services create value for our partners."
Salvus, launched in 2018, is built around the Salvus™ Detection Platform, initially developed by researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. As the world's first handheld interferometric detector, this technology enables the rapid and precise identification of chemical and biological substances in liquid, air, or surface environments, allowing for faster and more informed decision-making.
"Valdosta's growing footprint in AgTech and food production underscores our region's strategic position as a leader in agricultural innovation," Ogletree said. "By supporting cutting-edge companies like CJB Applied Technologies and Salvus, we're not only fueling economic growth but also helping shape the future of food and crop production across the Southeast and beyond."