By Marlee Jackson

Joel Sirmon has found the key to farming in Alabama’s second-fastest-growing county: Flexibility.

“We love this way of life and have tried out a lot of different crops to make sure we can still farm here in Baldwin County,” Joel said. “We’ve never been scared to try new things and have tinkered with crops to see what sticks.”

That eye for innovation earned Sirmon Farms the Alabama Farm of Distinction honor. As the state winner, Joel, who farms with wife Patti and brother James, joins seven Southeastern farmers vying for the title of Sunbelt Expo Farmer of the Year. 

Joel said he hopes his family’s history of adaptability resonated with judges who visited the farm in August. The winner will be named Oct. 15 in Moultrie, Georgia.

In the ‘70s, Joel and James expanded their family’s dairy and hog farm by planting what they call “A to Z,” with crops ranging from asparagus to zucchini. 

The following decades heralded a shift away from livestock and produce, save for sweet potatoes. They simultaneously moved acres into cotton, corn and peanuts. 

Paul Brown has known the Sirmons for nearly two decades. As the Alabama Farmers Federation Area 10 organization director, he’s seen the Sirmons graciously maneuver the difficulties of farming near the Gulf Coast. They’ve battled labor shortages, hurricane damage, depressed commodity markets and land loss. They’ve also embraced opportunities such as selling sweet potatoes to Walmart, investing in grain storage and offering bagged corn to deer hunters.

Their most defining characteristic, however, comes from “being neighborly,” Brown said.

The Sirmons welcome hundreds of visitors to their farm annually. Those include farmers and officials seeking educational excursions, plus families and students visiting the farm’s sunflower and zinnia fields. The trips are free of charge, with donations passed on to local charities. Through the years, the Sirmons have also donated over 1 million pounds of produce to food banks.

That faithful stewardship and generous spirit encouraged Brown to nominate Joel for the Farmer of the Year contest.

“Joel and Patti are two of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Brown said. “If you ask Joel why he does these things, he will tell you he just feels like it’s the right thing to do. I am glad to call the Sirmons my friends and proud to nominate them for this honor.”

As Alabama’s Farm of Distinction, the Sirmons received an engraved farm sign from the Federation and Alfa Insurance; a John Deere Gator from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen; a $1,000 gift certificate from Alabama Farmers Cooperative; and $1,000 from First South Farm Credit. During Farmer of the Year festivities, Joel will receive $2,500; a gift package from Massey Ferguson; and a branded fleece vest.

While their three children have built careers off the farm, Joel and Patti gather often with family. They enjoy celebrating milestones for their grandchildren, tailgating at Auburn University football games and reminiscing about adventures on the farm.

“Farming is tough, but it has provided a great way of life for our family,” Joel said. “When things seem bleak, we remember to zoom out and read Psalm 121.”