By Maggie Edwards

Lawrence County’s Larry LouAllen is passionate about serving fellow specialty crop farmers. 

For decades, LouAllen has been instrumental in the horticulture industry. He’s served on the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) board for 12 years, where his voice has guided policy decisions that impact specialty crop production. 

His servant leadership earned him the AFVGA Exceptional Achievement Award, presented Feb. 5 during the association’s annual conference and trade show in Gulf Shores. 

The award is the AFVGA’s highest honor and recognizes an individual, family or organization who is actively involved in horticulture. The honor is dedicated to those who go the extra mile for family, friends, community and fellow farmers. 

“I thank this group for allowing me to serve them,” LouAllen said. “Serving AFVGA has been a highlight of my life — that I could be a part of something like this. I am honored. I am also filled with hope seeing so many young people here involved in agriculture.” 

The fourth-generation farmer grows fruits and vegetables while raising ornamental plants and cattle at LouAllen Farms in Moulton. The family has converted an old horse barn into a farm store where they sell Sweet Grown Alabama products to hundreds of customers each year. Special products include cornmeal grown and ground on the farm.

LouAllen is active in his community, too, as a Lawrence County Farmers Federation board member, past Lawrence County Cattlemen’s board member, retired county commissioner and Sunday school teacher at Pleasant Ridge Holy Church of Christ. 

He also helped establish two farmers markets in north Alabama, giving other farmers the chance to sell their produce directly to consumers. LouAllen had an off-farm career at a nearby chemical plant before returning fulltime to the farm. 

Beyond faith and farming, family takes top priority for LouAllen and his wife, Bonita. They have two sons, Joey and Justin, plus daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

“I am proud of my family and our faith and the things we believe in,” LouAllen said. “I always say you’ll never fail at anything if you don’t try it. I was never afraid to try something, even if I failed.”

AFVGA is an affiliated association of the Alabama Farmers Federation.