Nearly 700 farmers representing every major commodity grown in Alabama elected state committee members Feb. 7-9 to help chart the course for the state’s largest farm organization. 

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s three-day Commodity Organizational Meeting was held at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) met in Dothan Feb. 9.

The Federation’s Brian Hardin said farmers at the meetings determined goals for their respective commodities and helped set the organization’s policy, in addition to electing committee leaders.

“The state committee structure is a great way for our farmers to choose what the organization will focus on,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs director. “In addition to elections for the 17 commodities our organization represents, farmers can learn about research and discuss governmental regulations and production practices.”

Hardin said the Federation’s Commodity Organizational Meeting exemplifies grassroots structure.

Lowndes County farmer Thomas Ellis along with his son, Stinson, attended the Equine Committee meeting Feb. 8. Ellis, who also raises pecans and cattle, said the meeting provides networking and educational opportunities.

“I can always learn something new from hearing what others are doing on their farms,” Ellis said, “and the speakers and programs present new ideas to consider and possibly use on our farm.”

Feb. 7, farmers attended the Federation’s State Bee & Honey; Beef; Catfish; Pork; Soybean; and Wheat & Feed Grains meetings.

The Feb. 8 meetings were for Cotton; Equine; Horticulture; Meat Goat & Sheep; Poultry; and Wildlife Resources committees.

The Feb. 9 meeting wrapped up the Montgomery meetings with Dairy; Forestry; Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod; and Hay & Forage divisions and an Alabama TREASURE Forest Association meeting.

In addition to electing new commodity leaders, outgoing commodity committee members were honored during lunch each day. They were:

Bee & Honey — Barry Banks, Walker County; and Hobson Hite, Cullman County

Beef — Mike Henry, Montgomery County

Cotton — Sammy Gibbs, Escambia County

Dairy — Mike Ryan, Tuscaloosa County; and David Wright, Calhoun County

Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod — Ed Dennis, Dallas County; and Bethany O’Rear, Blount County

Hay & Forage — Joe Potter, Colbert County

Horticulture — John Neighbors, Tallapoosa County

Meat Goat & Sheep — Drexel Johnson, Coffee County; and Charlie Thompson, Lauderdale County

Soybean — Rickey Cornutt, Marshall County

Wheat & Feed Grains — Stanley Walters, Marengo County; and Andy Wendland, Autauga County

Wildlife Resources — Will Ainsworth, Marshall County; Jimmy Jimmerson, Cleburne County; and Mike Parmer, Autauga County.

For APPA election results, visit ALPeanuts.com.