ALA BAMA FARM BU R E A U
ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION
1921
2021
Roots Run Deep
Faith, Family And Farming Span Generations
By Debra Davis and Marlee Moore many farm families across the state, their roots run in the Alabama Farmers Federation. Fordeep The organization was founded in 1921 as Alabama Farm Bureau. Although the name changed, farmers’ belief in its mission remained. It’s a belief many farmers have passed to the next generation. When flipping through old county directories or issues of Neighbors magazine, names rise from the pages across the years: Corcoran, Ellison and Maples
The Corcoran Family
are among a bevy of others. Once a family sees the impact the Federation has on faith, family and farming, the next generation is all in. Leadership rises from the organization’s grassroots, and many leaders get their start in the Young Farmers Program before progressing to county, commodity, state and national roles. Three families whose involvement spans generations are featured below. Remember: These are just a fraction of the farm families in the Alabama Farmers Federation. And it’s never too late to be the first generation.
onny Corcoran of Barbour County is a legend in Alabama’s S rich farming history and was a leader in the Alabama Farmers Federation. He chaired and founded the Alabama Boll Weevil
A portrait of Sonny and Ann Corcoran of Barbour County is held by family members, front row from left, Kim and Walt Corcoran, Tom and Denise Corcoran; second row, Allie Logan, Gardner Young, Liston Clark and Joe, Shelby and Henry Corcoran; third row; Sterling, Cassie, Cody and Cade Young. 50
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NEIGHBORS
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December/Winter 2021
Eradication Program and served in state and national leadership roles in the cotton and peanut industries. His wife Ann, who lives on their farm, served four terms as State Women’s Committee chairman. The Corcorans’ love for the Federation transcends generations. Their children grew up attending Federation events, as have their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Walt and wife Kim have two daughters, Allie Corcoran Logan and Cassie Corcoran Young, who have held positions in the county Young Farmers. Walt served on the State Young Farmers Committee, and Allie is a former state committee chairman. Both help lead state commodity committees. Cassie’s husband, Cody, also farms and is on the Federation’s State Cotton Committee and county Young Farmers Committee. Tom and Denise’s family is part of the farm, too. Their son, Joe, is on the county Young Farmers committee, while their son, Liston, is a student at Auburn University. Tom is a board member for the county Federation and Alabama Peanut Producers Association. Walt and Tom’s nephew, Liston Clark, also works on the farm, is a county board member and serves on the State Beef Committee. alfafarmers.org
