By Marlee Moore

The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed a familiar face to its Montgomery home office staff when Hunter McBrayer began work as a commodity division director today.

McBrayer will serve as director of the Federation’s Bee & Honey; Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod; and Horticulture Divisions. He’ll also be executive director of the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.

A native of Blount County, McBrayer is involved in the Marshall County Young Farmers program and was a two-time Discussion Meet contest finalist. He graduated in August from the Federation’s elite Agricultural Leaders For Alabama Class IV. McBrayer previously worked for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System as a regional horticulture agent.

“Having worked with Extension for five years, I have built many relationships with growers across the state,” said McBrayer, 29. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to build on those relationships and forge new ones. I’m excited to learn from our stakeholders and lead them in a new direction.”

The Federation’s Brian Hardin said McBrayer’s enthusiasm will help boost his divisions’ scope.

“Hunter is familiar with our organization, our members and our mission,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department director. “There’s tremendous room for growth in the industries and divisions he will serve, so we look forward to seeing him support Alabama farmers.”

McBrayer graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and is pursuing a Master of Science from Alabama A&M University. In his spare time, he likes to garden, fly fish and spend time with wife of seven years Brooke, an Alfa Insurance customer service representative.

The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with 357,000 member families and is an affiliate of the American Farm Bureau Federation.