John C. Callaway Jr.

Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame

2023 Inductee

John Callaway Jr. was born and raised on his family’s farm outside of Hogansville, Georgia, in the Corinth Community at the intersection of Troup, Heard and Coweta counties. It was at his family’s farm that his love for agriculture was born.

After graduating from CAES in 1969 with a degree in animal science, Callaway joined UGA Extension as an assistant county agent in Clarke County. After earning his master’s degree in business administration from UGA’s College of Business Administration, now the Terry College of Business, in 1973, Callaway moved to Haralson County to become an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, a position he served in until his retirement in 1998.

In the 35 years under his leadership, Haralson County 4-H had a very active junior livestock program, producing numerous state championship-winning animals, showmen, county groups and state judging teams coached by Callaway. Callaway’s involvement in the Georgia Junior Livestock program has impacted hundreds of youth throughout the state. Upon his retirement from Extension, Callaway led efforts to build a county livestock pavilion for the 4-H and FFA youth of the community.

During his career and beyond, Callaway has maintained a herd of beef cattle with mostly Angus and Simmental concentrations. Most recently, he created the 366-page Georgia cattle history book “Herds and Heritage” with the help of an editor. Callaway’s herd and heritage extends far beyond his own cattle and pastures.