By Maggie Edwards 

Balloons, string lights, live music and constant chatter brought life to Montgomery’s Union Station Train Shed Aug. 1 during the Alabama Farmers Federation Family Reunion. 

The farmers’ fun set the stage for the annual Farm & Land Conference, where over 700 attendees gathered to cultivate knowledge through tours, seminars and contests Aug. 1-3.

“The goal for the Family Reunion was for members to fellowship and reconnect with old friends,” said Federation Governmental & Agricultural Programs Department Director Mitt Walker. “Farming is tough right now. Our team wanted to give folks a chance to relax and enjoy family.”

The mouth-watering menu included U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, Bishop’s Barbecue, Blue Ribbon Dairy ice cream, beef brisket, Allman Farms & Orchards watermelon and Laurie Farms boiled peanuts. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., also attended and mingled with farmers.

Day 2 brought a host of charter buses into the Capital City as participants scattered from Auburn to Uniontown and from Montevallo to Union Springs for farm tours.

Colbert County’s Hart Gargis said he appreciated the practical tips he gained from Dallas County’s Bell Place Farms.

“It’s important to come and see what other farmers are doing,” said Gargis, a row crop farmer who serves on the Federation State Soybean Committee. “Hearing (farm owners) Wendy and Jamie Yeager discuss their sorghum production and marketing process was encouraging. I’ve been interested in getting back into growing sorghum.”

Randolph County’s Bran Futral noted the camaraderie among producers. 

“These tours let me know that I’m not alone,” said Futral, a specialty crop farmer. “There are challenges, but we’re all in it together. We’re proud to be a part of what the Federation is doing.” 

Other farm stops included ArborGen, Autauga Farming Co., Blue Ribbon Dairy, Bonnie Plants, Cleveland Land & Cattle, Dobbs Equipment, Green Valley Farms, Harvest Select’s catfish farm, Looney Farms, Parnell Farms, Petals from the Past, SweetCreek Farm Market and Whippoorwill Vineyards. 

Commodity-specific educational tracks and guest speakers guided Day 3’s agenda. During a breakfast session, Mark Purdy of Aimpoint Research discussed farmers’ importance to the country.

“You are foundational to national security,” Purdy said. “Food security is national security. We need that to be able to lead and keep our position in the world. We need that to build our economy and other industries in the nation. This isn’t about looking to the past but the future. It’s about making farmers successful and profitable.”

During the conference, an ag policy discussion centered on proposed Alfa Health Plans, while Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s (ACES) Beau Brodbeck spoke about H-2A labor.

Additionally, two ACES and Auburn University agriculturalists were honored for outstanding research and service. (See pages 8-9.)

The Farm & Land Conference also included contests for the Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers divisions. (See pages 5-6.)

Encouraging words from Caroleene Dobson closed the conference. Dobson, who is endorsed by Alabama FarmPAC, will be on the ballot in November as the Republican candidate for Congressional District 2.

“I grew up on a farm and witnessed firsthand that when you see something that needs action, you pray and then take action,” said Dobson, who received a standing ovation. “I understand the idea of stewardship — taking what God has given us and making things better for the next generation. We must grow the next generation with faith, hard work and trust in God.”