A LABAMA F AR M B U R E A U
ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION
1921
2021
Giving Back:
Farmers Prioritize Philanthropy In the ‘80s, the Federation began funding ag scholarships at Auburn University. Former Lee County Farmers Federation President Tom Ingram presented $1,000 scholarships to Alice Miller of Safford, Shae Wyatt of Linden, Cheryl Neuman of Auburn and Evelyn Love of Billingsley.
The Federation continues to award scholarships and support students through the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation. In 2018, 78 Auburn students earned assistance, including Logan Chappell of Madison County, second from left. He’s pictured with Federation President Jimmy Parnell, Lamar County Farmers Federation President Will Gilmer and Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean Paul Patterson.
By Marlee Moore t’s hard to quantify a hundred years of generosity from the Alabama Farmers IFederation.
In 1944, Federation members helped fund a Red Cross Clubmobile to entertain servicemen. In 1986, the group endowed an Auburn University (AU) eminent scholar. Jump to 2015, and members donated $210,000 to the American Cancer Society. Examples below continue to show how farmers give time, talents and resources to serve others on county, state and national levels.
The Ag Foundation
Although philanthropic giving was prevalent since the Federation’s inception in 1921, the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) was founded in 2009. The AFAF primarily builds on the Federation’s history of providing college scholarships for students. In partnership with counties, the Foundation gives $1,750 scholarships annually to land-grant university agriculture and forestry students. The Alfa Foundation, a subset of Alfa Insurance, annually gives 100 students $1,000 scholarships. The AFAF also supports Alabama Ag In The Classroom and raises funds through Ag Tag sales and events such as the AFAF Skeet Shoot.
Youth Development
Since 2006, Alfa Health has supported UAB’s Rural Medicine Program (RMP) by giving $500 book stipends to first-year students committed to practicing medicine in rural areas. RMP first-year students for 2021 are, front row from left, Chandler Davis, Rehobeth; Nicole Tyler, Wetumpka; Sydney Whitt, Ardmore; Cameron Roddy, Sheffield; and Chandler Flanigan, Hanceville. Back row from left are Skyler Pavlou, Spanish Fort; Nolan Baker, Warrior; Wade Jones, Guntersville; and David Russo, Springville. alfafarmers.org
Developing youths’ passion for agriculture is paramount for the Federation through donations such as its scholarship endowment at AU, which started in 1983 and has built continually since. The Federation also sponsors FFA Career Development Events. County Federations support local students who compete statewide and nationally. December/Winter 2021 | NEIGHBORS
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