By Kaelin Lockhart

The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Colton Christjohn to its Governmental & Agricultural Programs (GAP) Department April 25. Christjohn will serve as director of the Federation’s Dairy, Pork and Poultry divisions. 

Christjohn will help advocate for and monitor policy related to his commodity divisions, as well as coordinate educational programs. He will also provide leadership for the Federation’s youth livestock efforts, including the Jr. Swine Expo.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be part of a grassroots organization whose foundation is built on serving Alabama farmers and youth across the state,” said Christjohn, 29, whose family raises cattle.

The Calhoun County native has two degrees from Auburn University (AU), a bachelor’s in animal science and a Master of Science, earned in 2014 and 2016. While at AU, he gained practical animal science experience working at the on-campus beef unit and meats lab. He joins the Federation from Wayne Farms in Enterprise, where he was a processing superintendent.

Federation GAP Department Director Mitt Walker said Christjohn’s firsthand experience serving Alabama farmers has prepared him for success. As Poultry Division director, Christjohn will help farmers in Alabama’s largest agricultural industry, which has a $15 billion annual economic impact on the state.

“Colton has a heart for people and serving others, which is what we are all about at the Alabama Farmers Federation,” Walker said. “When you couple his passion for serving with his lifetime of experience in agriculture, I have no doubt he will excel in this role.”

Christjohn and his wife, Megan, have been married four years and have a 10-month-old daughter, Lillian. They live in Enterprise and attend Hillcrest Baptist Church.