13 minute read
Young Farmers Program Cultivates Future Leaders
ALABAMA FARM BUREAU
ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION
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The Young Farmers Program cultivates leaders like President Jimmy Parnell. He, wife Robin and children James Robert and Anna Grace were the 1999 Outstanding Young Farm Family. The family is pictured with then-President Jerry Newby, a former State Young Farmers Committee chair.
Young Farmers Program Cultivates Leaders
By Marlee Moore
Dubbed the Alabama Farm Bureau Young People’s Program in 1956, today’s Young Farmers Program remains a training ground for the next generation of leaders.
The group has developed scores of leaders for Alabama agriculture, including statewide elected officials, legislators, and Alabama Farmers Federation board members and presidents, including current President Jimmy Parnell and his predecessor, Jerry Newby.
Training Ground
Fayette County organized Alabama’s first Young People’s county committee in 1957, shortly after the state program was formed to develop leadership skills
The Excellence in Agriculture contest was added to the Young Farmers slate of events in 2006. From left were Young Farmers Division Director Brandon Moore; winner Amy Belcher of Montgomery County; first runnersup Amy and James Burgess of Blount County with their daughter, Abby; and Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore.
in 18- to 28-year-old farmers in 1956.
Successive groups formed in Walker, Calhoun, Houston and Montgomery counties in 1959. Throughout the years, young farmers in all 67 counties have been active. The Young People’s Program was renamed Young Farmers in 1968.
County voting delegates elect State Young Farmers Committee members during the annual meeting business session each December. The committee has 10 elected district and at-large representatives, plus the Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF). Farmers from 33 counties have led the committee as chairman.
Statewide Contests
The State Young People’s Committee was created in 1956. From left are Lewis Harper, Tuscaloosa County, advisor, state executive committee; Bobby Roberts, Fayette County, reporter; Donald Springer, Tuscaloosa County, vice chair; Marvin Kelley, Etowah County, chair; Morris Stringer, Houston County, secretary; Betty Whitt, Limestone County; and Farm Bureau’s John Dorrill. Not pictured: Martha Yancey, Etowah County.
Since its inception, young farmers have participated in statewide contests. A 1957 Alabama Farm Bureau News advertisement offered involvement opportunities for young farmers, including Talk Meet and Talent Find.
Today, farmers ages 18-35 compete in state contests; winners represent Alabama in American
Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) contests.
The OYFF contest honors farmers for excellence and advancements, plus Farm Bureau involvement. The first OYFF was Robert and Martha Gardener of Tallapoosa County in 1963. Prize packages evolved from plaques and bragging rights to include over $60,000 in prizes. Farmers from 37 counties have scored the OYFF title.
Marvin Kelley of Etowah County won first place in Alabama’s inaugural Talk Meet in 1957. He was also the first Young People’s Committee chairman. Talk Meet, now called Discussion Meet, was revamped when the Federation voted to rejoined AFBF in 2005. It encourages a committee-style discussion centered on agricultural issues.
Alabama’s first Excellence in Agriculture contest was in 2006. Amy Belcher of Montgomery County won the competition, which examines agricultural and Farm Bureau involvement for those whose primary income is earned off farm.
Past contests included the Miss Alabama Agriculture pageant. Jewel Walters of Tuscaloosa County was named the first winner in 1958. The final queen, Casey East of Pike County, was crowned in 2008.
Jewel Walters was crowned the first Alabama Farm Bureau queen in 1958. She was previously the Tuscaloosa County Farm Bureau queen. This contest evolved into the Miss Alabama Agriculture program, which ended in 2008.
Initial Young People’s Program advertisements supported projects focused on safety, citizenship, community beautification, health and recreation leadership. County members were encouraged to participate in demonstration projects showing how farming affects consumers.
Today, county committees complete an annual report detailing activities, meetings and participation. Project examples include work days at nonprofits, food drives, touch-a-tractor events, sweet corn donations, wild hog rodeos and more.
Conference Connection
The first Young People’s Conference was in summer 1958 at Cheaha State Park. Over the years, conference activities varied — from seminars to leadership activities to farm tours. But the goal remains the same: encourage idea-sharing, relationship-building and fellowship.
Conference attendance reached 400-plus in the ‘90s, dipped for a time, then rose to over 400 again when the group met in Mobile in 2020.
National Leadership
Four Alabamians have chaired what is now AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Jim Brady of Perry County led the way in 1963.
After rejoining AFBF, three Alabama leaders served as national YF&R Committee chair: Townsend Kyser of Hale County, 2008; Will Gilmer of Lamar County, 2010; and Jon Hegeman of Calhoun County, 2015.
Discussion Meet, formerly called Talk Meet, is a popular competition for young farmers. Members, like this crop of participants, discuss ag issues in a committeestyle format. The winner represents Alabama at the national contest annually.
The first Young People’s Conference was in 1958 at Cheaha State Park. Today, young farmers still gather annually to fellowship. Front from left: Kitty Walter Garrett, Montgomery; Anne Bailey, Perry; Fred Harbison, Cullman; Frances Shelton, Lauderdale; Back from left: Tommy Walters, Pike; Lanier Denson, Calhoun; Ronnie Pounders, Colbert; Eleanor Craft, Pickens; Mrs. Wilbur Shirah, Russell; Donald Springer, Tuscaloosa; Brenda Shirley, Madison; Donald Hand, Autauga; and John Branyon, Fayette. Chairman Marvin Kelley of Etowah County greeted Mrs. Ruby Henry of Cheaha State Park.
Simply Southern Spotlight
Commemorating 100 Years of the Alabama Farmers Federation
Throughout the second half of 2021, the Simply Southern TV staff interviewed Alabama Farmers Federation members and asked them to reflect on the organization’s 100 year history. Excerpts from those interviews are included here.
Saturday, Central Time Market Station Time Columbus, Ga. WLTZ 38 5:00 PM Sunday, Central Time Mobile WPMI 15 6:00 AM Birmingham WBMA 33/40 6:30 AM Huntsville WAFF 48 9:00 AM Montgomery WAKA 8 10:30 AM Dothan WTVY 4 10:30 AM
RFD-TV: Wednesdays • 3 p.m. Central ALWAYS ON: www.SimplySouthernTV.net
In its 100 year history, what do you think are some of the most important contributions from the Federation?
L.O. Bishop: The biggest things were offering good insurance to farmers in rural areas, and then the removal of the sales tax on farm
inputs. (Show 726)
Faye Dial: I think the Women’s Leadership Committee members have played a big role in helping the Alabama Farmers Federation keep its ideas going. They are the support system for the home, for the farm, for their husbands — and working together as partners on the farm.
(Show 725)
Mark Byrd: Education is the key. I think in 2020, a lot of people’s eyes were opened, and we realized that food doesn’t just come from a grocery store — it comes from a farm. So educating our consumers as well as educating farmers. Through Federation conferences, we learn a lot every year. (Show 726)
How did you first get involved in the Federation?
Billy Maples: My dad was the first Alabama Farm Bureau member in Limestone County. When I was a kid, I rode with him around the neighborhood asking people to join for $3. Later, Ray Jones, who was a fieldman, asked me to lead a Young Farmers group in the county. (Show 722)
Jim Brady: My dad helped sell fire insurance policies when it first started. I served as Alabama Young People’s Committee Chairman in 1963 and 1964. When I was elected American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young
People’s chair, Walter Randolph of Alabama was AFBF vice president and J.D. Hays was Alabama’s president. Those may just be names to other people, but they were giants in agriculture back in those days. (Show 720)
For those who aren’t actively involved in the Federation, why is this centennial such an important anniversary?
What do you hope the future holds for farming and the Federation?
Matthew Brady: I see the Federation doing a lot of good for my generation. A lot of times, young farmers have a hard time getting started, but we have to get my generation involved in agriculture. (Show 720)
Richard Edgar: I hope we always remember the importance of a grassroots effort. In the next 100 years, we need to use all the tools we can to communicate, but we have to remember that personal touch. (Show 726) Jonathan Sanders: The Federation has been a voice for agriculture in order to promote jobs, promote the economy, and help us in Alabama to have a competitive advantage. (Show 726)
Grace Ellis: Every time you have a meal or any time you slip on that favorite pair of jeans, you are participating in agriculture. I think it’s a big deal to say that farmers in Alabama are thriving and that we’re working hard to provide a safe and reliable product to our consumers. (Show 726)
To hear more from each of these Federation members, visit SimplySouthernTV.net. Scroll to the search bar at the bottom of the page, and type in the corresponding show number.
Simply Southern TV is sponsored by
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Alfa’s corporate home office complex is located on 67 acres and exceeds 492,000 square feet. The facilities accommodate over 900 employees.
A Foundation Of History
By Brooke Foster
Alfa Insurance was built on a strong foundation. Its presence came about through the Alabama Farmers Federation. The Federation founded the insurance company while housed at rental offices at the Fourth National Bank Building in downtown Montgomery in 1946.
Membership growth led to the expansion of Alfa buildings over the years to better serve its members. From its humble beginning of offering fire insurance on farm buildings, Alfa has grown to provide coverage for almost 1.2 million homes, cars, farms and business, as well as more than $31.5 billion in life insurance.
The evolution from smaller buildings in downtown Montgomery to corporate headquarters on the city’s East South Boulevard allows Alfa’s team members to better serve its customers and employees in the 11 states where it conducts business.
1948
Federation and insurance offices expanded again, moving to a three-story building at 201 Clayton St. in the Capital City.
1947
Federation and insurance offices moved into a two-story building at 108 North McDonough St. in Montgomery.
1968, 1972, 1986
Alfa’s home office building continued to grow, expanding three times in 18 years. The building nearly doubled in size during each expansion, adding additional spaces for human resources, the cafeteria, mailroom, accounting and other administrative departments.
1959
Federation and insurance offices relocated to a new complex with approximately 40,000 square feet on the East South Boulevard in Montgomery.
1991
Alfa built a state-of-the-art daycare facility adjacent to its main office for preschool children of employees. The 10,000-square-foot facility is licensed for 125 children.
1993
Alfa remodeled the office complex, growing from 160,000 to 310,000 square feet. The expansion allowed the company to update its facilities with the latest computer technology. The project included 35,000 square feet of unfinished office space to accommodate Alfa’s future growth.
2006
Alfa opened its Business Processing Center July 24. The 134,000-square-foot building is behind the corporate headquarters. It is designed to protect the company’s key processing functions and ensure business continuity. Over 22,000 tons of concrete and 775 tons of reinforced steel were used in its construction. The building is designed to sustain winds from an F3 tornado or a Category 5 hurricane.
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