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Farmers Federation elects new officers and board members
 | | Newly elected and re-elected Alabama Farmers Federation board members and directors are, from left, seated, Sammy Williams of Henry County, District 12; Marshall Prickett of Calhoun County, District 6; Jessie Hobbs of Limestone County, Young Farmers chairman; and Joy Noble of Macon County, Women's Committee chairman; standing, Hal Lee of Morgan County, North Area vice president; Donnie Garrett of Cherokee County, District 3; Jerry A. Newby of Limestone County, president; Garry Henry of Montgomery County, District 9; and Ricky Wiggins of Covington County, Southeast Area vice president. |
Jerry A. Newby was easily elected to his sixth consecutive, two-year term as president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, and Jan Cook of the Alabama Public Service Commission was honored with the Federation's highest award during its 87th annual meeting in Mobile Dec. 6-8.More than 1,500 farmers from across the state gathered for the three-day meeting, which paid tribute to Alabama's farmers and ranchers as "Hands That Feed The World." During the meeting, the Federation also bestowed a special Judicial Award of Excellence upon Associate Justice Harold See who has decided not to seek a third term on the Supreme Court of Alabama. In the voting delegate session, Newby, a Limestone County row crop and cattle farmer who was first elected in 1998, was opposed by Jimmy Parnell of Stanton, a Chilton County timber and beef producer who had served on the Federation's state board the past nine years. Parnell is also president of the Chilton County Farmers Federation. "I am more convinced today than I have ever been that this organization is needed by the farmers of Alabama," Newby told almost 500 voting delegates before his re-election. "This organization is needed by the state of Alabama." Hal Lee, vice president of the North Area, was re-elected without opposition. Also re-elected was Ricky Wiggins of Andalusia, vice president of the Southeast Area. The election process also saw Montgomery County cattle farmer Garry Henry succeed Parnell on the board as director of District 9, representing Chilton, Autauga, Lowndes, Wilcox, Butler and Montgomery counties. Elections were also held for three other district positions, which have three-year terms. Donnie Garrett of Centre, a hay and forage producer, who also is president of the Cherokee County Farmers Federation, was elected director of District 3, which includes Jackson, DeKalb, Cherokee and Etowah counties. He succeeds Earl Saxon of Attalla. Wellington row crop and poultry farmer Marshall Prickett, former president of the Calhoun County Farmers Federation, was elected to represent District 6, which includes St. Clair, Calhoun, Shelby, Talladega, Cleburne, Clay and Randolph counties. He succeeds Doyle Phillips of Delta. Sammy Williams of Columbia in Dale County was elected to represent District 12, which includes Dale, Henry, Geneva and Houston counties. He succeeds Jerry Byrd, a Dale County peanut farmer. Elected to one year, ex-officio terms on the state board were Women's Committee Chairman Joy Noble of Macon County, and State Young Farmers Chairman Jessie Hobbs of Limestone County. In recognizing Justice See, Newby praised him as a "staunch proponent of judicial restraint." "He personifies the proper role of a judge that applies the law as it is written; not an 'activist' judge who seeks to impose their own will," said Newby. "The Federalist Society recently recognized Justice See for upholding the view that it is emphatically the duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be." In accepting the Federation's Service to Agriculture Award, Jan Cook of the PSC vowed that she would "always - always - come down on the side of Alabama's farmers." Cook, who had stood on the same stage 35 years ago as state FHA president and addressed the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Alabama Farm Bureau, said it was that event which inspired her to enter politics. Newby said that Cook, the daughter of an ag teacher, had shown "time and again" during her 18 years on the PSC that she was aware of the struggles farmers face. He also noted that she "proudly stood on the side of the farmer" earlier this year when Alabama Power Company sought a historic rate hike. "Instead of a 14.6 percent increase for residential customers, the PSC approved an 8.3 percent increase," said Newby. "Instead of raising meter connection fees from $8.91 to $14.50, farmers saw no increase at all - all because Ms. Cook knew what farmers were going through." David Proctor, longtime owner and editor of The Clay Times-Journal, was presented the Federation's Communications Award. The newspaper, which was purchased by his father, C.L. Proctor, in 1947, was known as the Lineville Tribune until 1990. David took over as editor in 1992 after his father passed away and remains at the helm today with his wife, Connie. County awards were also presented for commodities, communications, Young Farmers, Women's Committees and leadership activities. State Sen. Kim Benefield and Sen. Wendell Mitchell joined Lawrence County farmer Brian Glenn, chairman of the Federation's Water Resource Planning Committee, in updating farmers on water policy and management. Benefield chairs the Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management. She said the committee has spent much of 2008 assessing the state's needs and resources and will report its findings to the Legislature in early 2009.
State Young Farmers Committee
Officers and members of the State Young Farmers Committee were elected during the Alabama Farmers Federation's 87th annual meeting Dec. 6-8 in Mobile. Seated, from left, are State Committee Members Colby Willoughby of Houston County, Ben Haynes of Cullman County, Scott Gregory of Tuscaloosa County and John Bitto of Baldwin County; standing State Committee Chairman Jessie Hobbs of Limestone County, Vice Chairman Jeff Maze of Blount County, Secretary Samuel Prim of Houston County; Scott Poague of Elmore County, Webb Holmes of Perry County and State Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore.
State Womens Committee
Officers and members of the State Women's Committee were elected during the Alabama Farmers Federation's 87th annual meeting Dec. 6-8 in Mobile. Seated, from left, are Debra Bowen, Randolph County; Virginia Abercrombie, Morgan County; Debbie Freeland, Mobile County; Sarah Lazzari, Baldwin County; and Doris Odom, Fayette County; back row (from left): Women's Division Director Kim Earwood; Chairman Joy Noble, Macon County; Delle Bean, Calhoun County; Secretary Rita Garrett, Cherokee County; and Vice-Chairman Gloria Jeffcoat, Houston County.
Leadership conference set for young farmers
The Alabama Farmers Federation's 2009 Young Farmers Leadership Conference will be Feb. 27-March 1 at Montgomery's Renaissance Hotel. The event is the first step in the Outstanding Young Farm Family competition where state commodity winners are selected. The OYFF program recognizes young farm families and farmers between the ages of 18 and 35 who are doing an outstanding job in their farm, home and community activities, and promoting a better understanding of agriculture. Each commodity winner receives a plaque and a $200 cash award. From the commodity divisions, the top six finalists will be chosen. An overall winner is then selected from the six finalists, and will be named at the Alabama Farmers Federation's 88th Annual Meeting in Mobile next December. The overall winner receives a John Deere Gator, courtesy of the Federal Land Bank Association of Alabama, the use of a Dodge Nitro, courtesy of the 67 county Farmers Federations, $500 cash from Dodge Trucks, $250 voucher for Valvoline Oil products and a computer package sponsored by the Valcom Business Centers of Alabama. The state winner also receives an all-expense-paid trip to the 2010 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Seattle, where he/she will compete for the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award. The winner of the 2010 Achievement Award receives a nicely equipped 2010 Dodge Ram Quad Cab pickup. Deadline for receiving OYFF contestant applications is Jan. 15. For more information or to register for the conference, contact your county Young Farmers chairman or secretary or Brandon Moore, director of the Young Farmers program, at (334) 451-2867 or BMoore@AlfaFarmers.org. Registration deadline for the conference is Jan. 15, but space is limited. To download an agenda, visit www.AlfaYoungFarmers.org and look for the link to the Young Farmers Conference.
Outstanding Young Farm Family
Chip and Lisa Stacey of Conecuh County captured the Alabama Farmers Federation's Outstanding Young Farm Family Award during the Sunday morning general session of the Federation's 87th Annual Meeting in Mobile. From left, are: Douglas Thiessen, CEO of the Federal Land Bank of South Alabama, David Howse, CEO of the Federal Land Bank of North Alabama, Chip and Lisa Stacey and Federation President Jerry A. Newby. The Federal Land Bank was among the prize sponsors.
Miss Alabama Agriculture and court
Miss Alabama Agriculture Casey East of Pike County, center, is shown here with her court, from left, Miss Congeniality Kayla Nichole Moore of Houston County, first alternate Kayla Nicole Boddie of Chilton County, Miss East, second alternate Ericka Kathleen McDaniel of Pickens County and third alternate Kaitlyn Shay Smith of Mobile County.
Awards program honors outstanding counties and leaders
Outstanding Federation county organizations and their leaders were recognized during the 87th annual meeting of the Alabama Farmers Federation Dec. 8 in Mobile. Randolph, St. Clair and Calhoun counties captured Superior County Awards for outstanding work in several areas of service that included commodities, community service, governmental affairs, communications, Women's activities and Young Farmers. Individual leaders recognized during the program were: Nell Miller of Blount County, Women's Committee; Kenneth Hinkle of Calhoun County, Local and Community Service; Glenda Cardwell of Coosa County, Women's Committee; Paul Beasley of Etowah County, Local and Community Service; Gail Oden of Etowah County, Women's Committee; Barbara Peak of Geneva County, Women's Committee; Webb and Joy Thornhill of Jackson County, Local and Community Service; Mike and Annie Dee of Pickens County, Public Relations and Communications; Renee Fochtmann of Shelby County, Young Farmers; Gloria Tate of Shelby County, Women's Committee; Emily Taylor of St. Clair County, Public Relations and Communications; Alice Brown of St. Clair County, Young Farmers; Cindy Madaris of St. Clair County, Local and Community Service and Ronnie Mobley of Winston County, Political Education. Senior Leader Awards are bestowed on leaders 70 and older who have served as a county president, state women's committee member or state board member. Those recipients were Jim Rittenour of Montgomery County, Ray McIntyre of Lauderdale County, Earl Saxon of Etowah County, Kenneth Neal of Cullman County, Grace Wingard of Crenshaw County and W.S. "Shep" Phillips of Coosa County. Alta Hughes of Jackson County and Linda Findley of Calhoun County received awards for Outstanding Communications.
Jane Harris of Cleburne County, Margaret Evans of St. Clair County and Pat Hicks of Cullman County were honored for Outstanding Women's Committees in their counties. Outstanding Young Farmer Committees in Calhoun, Montgomery and Shelby counties were recognized. Those awards were accepted by Keith Bryant, Amy Belcher and Renee Fochtmann, respectively. Frank Hughes of Jackson County accepted the award for Outstanding Community Service by his county Federation. Calvin Freeland of Mobile County and Stanley Morris of St. Clair County accepted awards for outstanding Governmental Relations. Seventeen commodity leaders also were recognized for outstanding work by county commodity committees during the awards program. Their names and counties are listed in the photo below.
Commodity Awards
County commodity committees that did an outstanding job promoting their specific commodity were recognized at the annual meeting. Accepting for their county committees are, seated from left, Bee & Honey, Lionel Evans of Cullman County; Cotton, Richard Edgar of Elmore County; Wheat & Feed Grains, Mack Hughes of Jackson County; Peanuts, Fred Helms of Houston County; Forestry, Norphlet McCollumn of Clay County accepting for Earl Smith; Soybeans, Charles Butler of Madison County; and Wildlife, Jimmy Jimmerson of Cleburne County; back row, Federation Commodity Director Jimmy Carlisle; Dairy, Larry Bowen of Randolph County accepting for Richie Traylor; Pork, Stanley Morris of St. Clair County; Poultry, Donald Ray Walker of St. Clair County; Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod, Tommy Odom of Mobile County; Horticulture, Lude Mashburn of St. Clair County accepting for Rob McHugh; Beef, Rick Smith of St. Clair County; Equine, Joel Bearden of Shelby County accepting for Bryan Hoagland; Hay & Forage, David Wahl of Mobile County; Catfish, Mark Satterfield of Clay County; and Meat Goat & Sheep, Julianne Hataway of Montgomery accepting for Jim Ard.
Alabama wins five AFBF state awards
The Alabama Farmers Federation captured five awards in the American Farm Bureau Federation's 2008 State Awards Program, and will be recognized during the AFBF's 90th annual convention next month in San Antonio, Texas. According to Brad Eckart, director of the AFBF's Department of Organization, Alabama earned Awards of Excellence in: Ag Education & Promotion, Leadership Development, Member Services, Policy Implementation and Public Relations & Information.
Forty states participated in the 2008 State Awards Program. These states earned 159 Awards of Excellence. Thirteen states earned 25 President's Awards which, in the program judges' evaluation, represent the best of the best programs that states offer their members. AFBF will recognize the Alabama Farmers Federation at the Sunday morning, Jan. 11, awards and entertainment portion of the general session at the annual convention.
Superior Counties
Randolph, St. Clair and Calhoun counties were honored with Superior Awards during the Federation's annual meeting Dec. 6-8 in Mobile. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry A. Newby, Randolph County Farmers Federation President Larry Bowen, St. Clair County Farmers Federation President Stanley Morris, immediate past president of the Calhoun County Farmers Federation Marshall Prickett and Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore.
Excellence in Ag
Michael Counts of Jackson County won the Alabama Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture Contest at the Alabama Farmers Federation's 87th annual meeting in Mobile Dec. 6-8. Scott Poague of Elmore County won first alternate in the contest. From left are Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore, Counts, Poague, Roger Chappell and Camp Powers of First South Farm Credit who helped sponsor the contest. Counts received $1,000 from First South Farm Credit and $500 from Dodge. He will represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, courtesy of First South Farm Credit. Poague received $500 from First South Farm Credit as first alternate. Counts is an agriscience teacher at Skyline High School. Poague is an agriscience teacher in Elmore County.
Obituary
Myron F. Salter, president of the Butler County Farmers Federation, died Dec. 5, 2008, at his residence in McKenzie. He was 70. Salter was a long-time Federation member and had served as president of the Butler County Farmers Federation since 1999. He was also a board member of the Butler County Quality Coop and was an active member and past president of the Butler County Cattlemen's Association. He was an elder of Community of Christ Church in McKenzie and previously served as its minister 17 years. Survivors include wife Floyce W. Salter of McKenzie; daughters, Debbie S. Shipp of Greenville, Terrie S. (Earl) Shipp of McKenzie and Rhonda S. Simmons of Auburn; son, Myron Christopher (Hope) Salter of McKenzie; father, Heamon Salter of McKenzie; sister, Ruby Alice Salter of Birmingham; brother, William Earl Salter of Huntsville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Shirley Wiggins; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Discussion Meet Winners
Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore, left, congratulates Brett Mack of Covington County, the winner of the Alfa Young Farmers Discussion Meet, along with Victoria Leavelle of Tuscaloosa County, first runner-up in the contest. The contest was held during the Federation's 87th annual meeting in Mobile, Dec. 6-8. Mack received a $500 cash from the Federation and $500 from Dodge, and will receive an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in January where he will represent the state in the national competition. Leavelle received $500 from the Federation.
Service To Agriculture
Public Service Commissioner Jan Cook, left, received the Federation's Service to Agriculture Award during the organization' 87th annual meeting in Mobile. The award, which is the highest given by the Federation, was presented by Federation President Jerry A. Newby.
Judicial Award
Justice Harold See of the Alabama Supreme Court, left, was honored during the annual meeting with the Judicial Award of Excellence for exceptional public service in upholding the rule of law and limiting use of arbitrary judicial power. Federation President Jerry A. Newby presented the award.
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