Alabama Farmers Federation Cotton, Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grains Divisions Director Buddy Adamson spent the past 31 planting seasons working for Alabama’s farmers. When tractors roar to life next spring, he will be watching the fields from a new perspective as a retiree.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Federation, working to understand the challenges and opportunities that face the farmers I serve,” said Adamson, who retired Nov. 27. “I hope I helped, in some small way, to make their operations more profitable. Our volunteer leaders have certainly helped me greatly as I coordinated activities for each division. The relationships I have with coworkers are a real blessing, and I will always remember the friendships made and how all departments work together to accomplish our objectives in serving fellow members.”

Adamson has served a tremendous role within the Federation, providing planting, growing and harvesting information for row crops across the state. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in agronomy and soils and worked for Gold Kist Inc. for nine years. He joined the Federation in 1982.

“Buddy has been a coworker and friend since he first came to the Federation,” said Federation Governmental and Agricultural Programs Director Jimmy Carlisle. “For more than 20 years, we worked side-by-side in the Commodity Department. His attention to detail is second to none, but his greatest strengths are his knowledge of and passion for agriculture, especially row crops and transportation. It has been an extreme pleasure to work with Buddy, and my greatest hope is that retirement brings him well-deserved rest and relaxation.”

While he might slow down a little in retirement, Adamson said he hopes to spend more time traveling, hunting, fishing and sharing the great outdoors with his wife, Jane, their two children and six grandchildren.

“I first plan to relax during the holiday season and not have to think about going back to work,” Adamson said. “I plan to spend more time doing volunteer work, honey-do jobs and having some ‘tractor time’ on my small farm.”

When the green ribbons of soybean, cotton and corn start to peek through the ground next spring, Adamson said he will simply enjoy watching the growth of Alabama’s bounty.