December 9, 2021
Federation Celebrates A Century Of Service
The Alabama Farmers Federation celebrated its 100th annual meeting Dec. 5-6 in Montgomery with awards presentations and a salute to a century of serving farmers. Over 1,200 farmers gathered in the Capitol City at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center.
Two honorees — the late John W. Morris and James R. Hudson — received the Service to Agriculture Award, the Federation’s highest honor.

The Federation also recognized statewide winners of Young Farmers contests Sunday evening. Winners will represent Alabama in American Farm Bureau Federation contests in Atlanta in January. They are:

  • Discussion Meet — Kyle Morris, Cullman County
  • Outstanding Young Farm Family — Josh and Savannah McCoy, Dale County
  • Excellence in Agriculture — Lauren and Landon Marks, Cherokee County

Additionally, Mike Tidwell received the Cultivator Award, which honors those who foster relationships to benefit farmers, members and rural communities.
Tidwell, 60, retired from the Federation Dec. 1 after nearly 33 years of service. He was Young Farmers director for 11 years before his promotion to Organization Department director in 2000. In that department, he worked with 10 area organization directors and assisted leaders of the Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership divisions.
The organization also held leadership elections during its annual meeting business session Dec. 6.

Steve Dunn, a Conecuh County row crop and cattle farmer, was reelected secretary-treasurer. Calhoun County’s Jon Hegeman was reelected Central Area vice president, and Jake Harper of Wilcox County was reelected Southwest Area vice president.
The Federation’s yearlong centennial celebration concluded Monday night with a banquet and entertainment tracing the history of agriculture, the organization and music through the past 10 decades.


Check out the full event recap in the January issue of Neighbors magazine.
Congressional Delegation Honors Alfa Farmers
Members of Alabama’s Congressional delegation honored the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 100th anniversary Dec. 7 by introducing resolutions in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The measures note the Federation’s role in founding Alfa Insurance, which is celebrating 75 years of service.

Commodity Committee Members Elected
State commodity committee elections were held in conjunction with the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 100th annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 5.

Elections previously were held at the Commodity Organization Meeting in February.

State commodity committee members who rotated off their respective committees were honored during the awards breakfast Dec. 6 at the annual meeting.
Walker Tapped To Lead GAP Department
Sixteen-year organization veteran Mitt Walker has been tapped to lead the Alabama Farmers Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs (GAP) Department. Walker previously served as assistant department director.

Walker replaces Brian Hardin, who became External Affairs Department director Dec. 7. Former External Affairs Director Matthew Durdin transitioned to the Organization Department following the retirement of longtime director Mike Tidwell.
Ag In Action
Weather delays — a cool spring and wet fall — and supply chain issues have slowed farmers across the state. It’s another way the national supply chain and inflation issues are hitting home in Alabama. Instead of being able to order parts for quick delivery, farmers are having to wait weeks or spend valuable time traveling to get a needed part. Click to read more in this piece from the Alabama Daily News.

Because of excessive moisture, farmers in 30 Alabama counties are eligible for primary or contiguous disaster assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Counties affected include Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Clay, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Randolph, Sumter, Tallapoosa and Washington. Click here to learn more.

Billy and Tommy Maples of Limestone County were recently featured in a video from the Angus Heritage Foundation. Click here to watch and learn about the father-son duo's Elkmont operation.

Four educational tracks aimed at improving specialty crop farmers’ bottom lines set the stage for the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show in Gulf Shores Nov. 18-19. Over 200 farmers and industry professionals attended the annual event at the Lodge at Gulf States Park. Click here to read more about the conference.
Events & Deadlines
  • Dec. 14 — Alabama Ag Outlook Conference at the Alabama Farmers Federation Montgomery home office. Click here to register.

  • Jan. 15 — Outstanding Young Farm Family applications due. Click here to access the application.

  • Jan. 18 — Alabama Soybean & Corn Association Meeting in Montgomery.

  • Jan. 18-19 — Row Crops Short Course, following the Soybean & Corn Meeting in Montgomery. Click here to register.

  • March 4-6 — Federation Young Farmers Conference in Gulf Shores. Click here to register.