A resounding send-off for longtime leaders of the Alabama Farmers Federation led to an exciting welcome for two new vice presidents during the organization’s annual meeting Dec. 8-9 in Montgomery.

Morgan County’s Mark Byrd was elected to his first two-year term as North Area vice president, replacing Rex Vaughn of Madison County. Dale County’s Chris Carroll was elected Southeast Area vice president, replacing Houston County’s George Jeffcoat. Vaughn and Jeffcoat served maximum terms.

A poultry and row crop farmer, Byrd’s North Area covers Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties.

In his new role, poultry, cattle and row crop producer Carroll will cover Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Macon, Pike, Russell and Tallapoosa counties.

Another all-important order of business took place during the nearly 500-delegate strong business session. Jimmy Parnell was unanimously elected to his seventh term as Federation president.

“It seems like two or three weeks ago we started down this journey,” Parnell said. “We have accomplished so much. We’ve built a tremendous team. I love getting up to go to work. It’s really not work when you love what you do. The federation is as strong today as, I think, we’ve ever been. I’m just excited about our future.”

As Federation president, Parnell also leads affiliate company Alfa Insurance.

Additionally, four district directors were selected to three-year terms.

District 1 delegates reelected Walker County’s Dorman Grace — a poultry, cattle and row crop farmer — to his second term. District 1 includes Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Walker counties.

Darrell Lee of Winston County was elected to serve District 4, replacing Cullman County’s Steve Lake. District 4 consists of Blount, Cullman, Marshall and Winston counties. Lee raises cattle and hay.

Serving District 7 is newly elected director Mahlon Richburg of Lee County, a cattle and hay producer. Richburg replaces Elmore County’s Joe Lambrecht. District 7 includes Chambers, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties.

Trip Horne was reelected to a second term as District 10 director. The Barbour County poultry and cattle farmer represents Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw and Pike counties.

Also elected to one-year, ex-officio terms on the state board were State Women’s Leadership Committee Chair Rachel Chastain of Talladega County and State Young Farmers Committee Chair Denzil Dees of Sumter County.

Courtesy of Alabama Farmers Federation.

A top crop of young farmers walked away victorious during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation Farm & Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery.

Outstanding Young Farm Family Contest

Competitors from Talladega and Colbert counties were awarded Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) and Excellence in Agriculture wins, respectively, while four Discussion Meet finalists were announced.

Whit and Amanda Lovelady from Talladega County were named Alabama’s OYFF. The Loveladys raise cattle and hay with their children Annagrace and John Luke.

As the OYFF, they will receive over $70,000 in prizes including $40,000 toward a new Ford truck compliments of Alfa Insurance; a John Deere 835M Gator sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit; and a year’s lease on a John Deere tractor courtesy of John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen.

First and second runners-up in the OYFF contest will receive prize packages from Kubota and Corteva Agriscience, respectively.

Garrett and Robin Dixon of Lee County were named first runner-up. They raise row crops with their children Chandler Jane and Cash. They will receive use of a Kubota M series tractor courtesy of Kubota.

Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County were named second runner-up and earned a custom chemical package from Corteva. The Wendlands raise row crops and hay and have three children, Mills, Smith and Rhett.

Additionally, the Dixons and Wendlands will receive $500 from perennial sponsors Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit.

Interviews in February were followed by judges’ visits to each family farm in June to select the OYFF. Families are judged on the growth and diversity of their operations along with community involvement and Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) leadership. OYFF competitors must receive over half their income from farming.

Click here to view videos of the three OYFF finalists.

Excellence In Agriculture

Excellence in Agriculture winners Will and Ali Gotcher of Colbert County competed against 11 contestants and will receive a zero-turn Grasshopper lawn mower sponsored by Corteva Agriscience. This event allows participants to showcase agriculture’s role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles. Will works at Spruell Farms while Ali is a regional Alabama Extension agent.

First runner-up was Caleb Beason of Franklin County, with Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County as second runner-up.

Discussion Meet

Twenty-three young farmers competed in the Discussion Meet, which simulates a committee meeting where participants discuss solutions to agricultural issues. The four finalists are Will Meadows of Houston County; Erin Tolleson of Marshall County; Levi Noles of Randolph County; and Chase Hammock of Talladega County.

The Final Four will compete during the Federation’s annual meeting in December. The winner will receive a four-wheeler from First South Farm Credit.

All finalists received a custom Young Farmers of Alabama Yeti cooler, compliments of the Federation. Winners will represent Alabama during the AFBF national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.

Courtesy of the Alabama Farmers Federation.