By Maggie Gaddy 

Armed with wish lists and Christmas cheer, Winston County Young Farmers annually fill shopping carts with gifts destined for local children living in foster care. 

The tradition began a handful of years ago when Winston County Young Farmers (WCYF) then-Chairman Zack Brannon was searching for a way the group could make a difference.

“We wanted the community to know it isn’t just about farmers helping farmers,” said Brannon, a cattle producer who serves on the Winston County Farmers Federation (WCFF) board. “We’re here for everybody. We’re trying to help the whole community and lift everybody up.”

Also the Winston County Extension director, Brannon works closely with local youth and became aware of the number of children in the foster care system.

Through the Winston County Department of Human Resources (DHR), WCYF began sponsoring children at Christmas, receiving lists with wishful requests of blue jeans, bicycles and Barbies.

“We felt called to help,” Brannon said. “Most of us have been here in this community our whole lives, and we’ve been highly blessed. Just having the ability to give back — I think that if you have it, you should.”

As the effort grew, so did the cost. The Young Farmers found an answer on the golf course, launching a tournament to rally community support and raise money for the cause.

Current WCYF Chairman Jackson Seymore was involved in the project’s early years. He has since expanded the late-summer tournament and strengthened sponsorships. 

“If you get down to the core of what a farmer is, a farmer is a caretaker,” said Seymore, a cattleman and youth pastor. “Whether you’re caring for livestock or the soil, the better caretaker you are, the better farmer you are. I think that plays into serving your community, too.”

By 2021, the effort gained enough support to ensure every child in Winston County foster care had a Christmas sponsor. A handful are covered by the Young Farmers, while community members provide for others. In 2023, WCYF earned the Above & Beyond Award at the Alabama Farmers Federation annual meeting for the service initiative.

Remaining tournament proceeds support DHR’s Independent Living Fund, which helps teenagers prepare for adulthood, said WCFF President Darrell Lee. 

“It’s an honor for our Federation to be involved in this program,” said Lee, also an Alabama Farmers Federation state board member. “For young people to give their time and resources and do something like this is incredible. Our board is proud to back this initiative.”

The mission hits close to home for Alfa Insurance Executive Vice President of Marketing Mark Evans. His parents provided a home for at least eight foster children throughout his childhood.

“My parents believed every child needs and deserves a loving family,” said Evans, who recruits golf teams and contributes to the cause. “I saw firsthand what that meant to many children. I’ll always support foster children and the families who open their homes.”

While the holiday puts the Young Farmers’ mission in the spotlight, Brannon said giving shouldn’t be confined to one season.

“If we would all think about giving back and helping year-round, it would make a larger impact,” Brannon said. “Folks that need help don’t just need help at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s great we can put it on people’s minds this season, but we need to keep it on their minds all year. This isn’t a handout program. It is a hand up.”