U.S. farmers are known as hard-working, dedicated and patriotic citizens.

To recognize the brave and courageous military service of the state’s farmers, Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance representatives unveiled an Embattled Farmer statue at American Village in Montevallo Feb. 15. 

The bronze statue stands 16 feet tall on its base along the American Village Freedom Trail and represents colonial farmers who laid down their plows and picked up muskets to fight for independence in the American Revolution.

“As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt to the original embattled farmers who fought for democracy and helped found our country,” said Jimmy Parnell, Alfa and Federation president. “Farms suffered while the soldiers were at war, and some farmers even lost their land and way of life. Those farmers were willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good of freedom and liberty. That’s a lesson we can all learn from as we strive to put our country back on the right track.”

The statue unveiling was in conjunction with a celebration for George Washington’s birthday.

“We’re proud to have such a tremendous tribute to the patriotism of Alabama farmers at American Village, where students get to experience the founding principles that make America great,” Parnell said.

Tom Walker, American Village founder and CEO, thanked the Federation and Alfa Insurance for their fitting tribute that recognizes farmers as the first defenders of American liberty.

“As young people come to learn about American freedom, they will see the powerful statue reminding us of the embattled farmers of 1775 who fought for liberty and self-government,” Walker said. “They will learn the story of how a strong, independent, determined and courageous force of country farmers stood firm for the cause of liberty. And in that powerful story, these students and other visitors may find encouragement as they prepare for their vital roles as good citizens and leaders.”

The original Embattled Farmer statue stands in Concord, Massachusetts, and was sculpted for the nation’s centennial celebration in 1876. The name for the statue was taken from “Concord Hymn,” written by Concord resident and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Artist Robert Shure of Woburn, Massachusetts, sculpted the replica. He is known for conservation and restoration of sculptural elements at historic buildings including The Old State House in Boston and the Washington Monument.

The American Village Citizenship Trust is an educational institution headquartered on 183 acres in Montevallo. For 16 years, its mission has been to strengthen and renew the foundation of American liberty and self-government by engaging and inspiring citizens and leaders. Total annual visitation is estimated at 80,000. For more information, visit AmericanVillage.org.