By Tanner Hood

Light rain and strong winds blow across Will and Ali Gotcher’s faces as they feed cows in a rolling green pasture just east of Muscle Shoals. 

The couple’s passion for agriculture helps them endure the elements and care for a growing cow-calf operation while working full-time jobs off the farm. That passion also steered them to victory in the Alabama Farmers Federation Excellence in Agriculture contest.

“We’re always trying to be better in the ag industry, and we want people to understand our passion for it,” Ali said. “That’s what drove us to apply for and compete in Excellence in Ag.”

Excellence in Agriculture participants highlight their industry passion and leadership experiences through an application and presentation. The contest is for members ages 18-35 who earn most of their income off the farm. 

Ali works as a regional Extension agent specializing in animal sciences and forages. Will is chief financial officer at Spruell Farms in Mt. Hope and serves as Colbert County Young Farmers Committee chairman. They’ve both gained critical professional and interpersonal skills through the Federation’s premier leadership development program, Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders).

These opportunities have opened doors and helped build essential ag relationships for the Gotchers.

“You have to know so much today to farm successfully, and you have to be able to work with your neighbors and different industry professionals,” said Will, who has a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University. “Involvement in Young Farmers and A.L.F.A. Leaders has helped us become more knowledgeable about operations across the state and learn from others with different perspectives.” 

The Gotchers will represent Alabama at the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in January in San Antonio, Texas. As the state winners, they will receive a zero-turn lawnmower from Corteva Agriscience during the Federation’s annual meeting in December in Montgomery.

Will, an Alabama native, said his path to a career in agriculture started at an early age working in the hay fields and garden with his grandfather. Meanwhile, Ali grew up on a cow-calf operation in Texas. She moved to the Deep South to work with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Texas A&M University. Ali said getting started in the state’s largest industry meant she had to earn farmers’ trust.

“My job is about building relationships and sharing top research, information and management practices with farmers in our area,” Ali said. “It can be hard for farmers to trust someone from out of state to resourcefully and knowledgeably help their operation. The more I built those relationships, the more welcoming the farmers were. They want me to succeed because when I’m successful, they directly benefit.”

The Gotchers said their jobs, relationships and leadership opportunities have helped grow and improve their farm.

“It seems there are always new and great accomplishments every year,” Will said. “We’re always trying to work better for each other, our operation and our community.”