By Marlee Jackson

With her warm smile, welcoming laugh and work ethic that just won’t quit, Hope Cassebaum is the quintessential friendly farmer.

She’s also sensible, sharp and unafraid to speak her mind — characteristics that will serve her well as Alabama Farmers Federation Southwest Area vice president.

“I’m a people person,” said Cassebaum, who farms in Lillian in Baldwin County. “I like to get out, tell my story, listen to what other people do and help tell their story.”

Her service marks a milestone for the 105-year-old organization. Elected by her peers in December, Cassebaum is the first female officer to serve on the boards for the Federation and Alfa Insurance.

However, inking her name in the history books wasn’t Cassebaum’s objective. (The likable leader learned her election would be historic just days before the annual meeting.)

Instead, she spent two years shoring up support from the Coastal Plain to the Black Belt, campaigning on her willingness to fight for Alabama farmers.

Her message resonated.

As Southwest Area vice president, Cassebaum will represent members from Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox counties.

Federation President Jimmy Parnell has known Cassebaum and her husband, Todd, for decades. He said he’s excited for her to lend insight to Federation and Alfa business. Her service follows that of Jake Harper, who retired due to term limits.

“Hope is smart. She is a hard worker and is easy to get along with,” Parnell said. “It takes a unique personality and work ethic to replace Jake Harper. She has some large shoes to fill. She can do it. More importantly, Hope will do it.”

A trailblazer of sorts, Cassebaum has proven her mettle through years of service.

In 2015, Cassebaum became the first female president of the Baldwin County Farmers Federation (BCFF) when tapped to fill a term vacated by the death of longtime BCFF President David Bitto. She still holds that office. 

She was one of just three women in Class III of Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders); is a Farm Service Agency county committee member; and serves on advisory boards for United Bank, Extension and Elberta High School.

Cassebaum’s leadership has breathed new life into BCFF. Under her guidance, Baldwin County established the local member benefits program and expanded scholarships to support students in non-agricultural fields.

“We quickly realized agriculture was not going to be dominant in Baldwin County forever,” Cassebaum said. “We had to do more to serve all our members while promoting ag.”

The outreach is simple but powerful. Young Farmers participate in Christmas parades, tossing Alabama-grown peanuts to the crowd. BCFF also donates food, including peanut butter, through programs like Backpack Buddies.

A daughter of west Alabama, Cassebaum learned early the importance of bearing the mantle of leadership. Her father, George Aust, was Sumter County Farm Bureau president in the ‘70s.

Cassebaum moved to Baldwin County in 1987. Never one to shy away from work, she graduated high school and quickly climbed the ranks of management in food service — from McDonald’s and Golden Corral to a well-known supper club in Gulf Shores.

She soon met Todd and passed what she jokes was his test — trial by sweet corn. In addition to pecans, cattle and row crops, Cassebaum Farms is known for delicious produce.

Sweet corn is a summer favorite, with visitors snagging freshly picked, hand-bagged corn en route to the Gulf Coast. 

“I would get there at 7 a.m. to start bagging corn and sell until I had to go to work that evening. I didn’t get paid. I still don’t get paid!” Cassebaum said with a laugh.

In addition to working on the farm with Todd, son August and daughter Kelsey’s husband Destry Hopper, Cassebaum has spent 30 years bookkeeping for a local asphalt company. A more recent, rewarding duty emerged as she became Oma to grandchildren Margaret and July. 

She simultaneously grew her Federation network. Cassebaum remembers an impactful encounter with then-President Jerry Newby during a Young Farmers Conference in the ‘90s.

“Mr. Newby met us in the elevator and asked our names,” she said. “The next time he saw us, he called us by name. I was impressed.”

Three decades later as a freshly minted vice president, Cassebaum took her seat in the board room where Newby once wielded the proverbial gavel.

“I’m proud to be part of an organization that puts family, faith and community first while fighting for the needs of farmers,” Cassebaum said. “I’m thankful my children and I have grown up on a farm where we’ve learned hard work, how to make it through tough times and the value of family.”