David William Brooks

Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame

An alumnus of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences where he also taught agronomy, D.W. Brooks devoted his career to the improvement of life through improvements in agriculture.

Mr. Brooks, the founder and chairman emeritus of Gold Kist Inc., advised seven U.S. presidents on various agriculture and trade issues. He also started Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies in 1941 to provide farmers with insurance.

His numerous honors for contributions to agriculture include being the first inductee into the University of Georgia's Agricultural Hall of Fame. He received the Distinguished Agribusiness Award from the Georgia Agribusiness Council and was named Progressive Farmer magazine's "Man of the Year in Agriculture in the South."

Occupation: Founder and Chairman of Gold Kist, Inc. Brooks started Cotton States Mutual Insurance Companies in 1941.

See also: D.W. Brooks Awards - Memorial and History