By Tanner Hood

Family legacy.

That’s what drives newly elected Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President Chris Carroll to work the Dale County land that’s home to his sixth-generation farm. 

“I’m very fortunate,” Chris said. “The farm has been through a lot of changes which allowed us to survive for so long. For me, it’s about being able to hand it off to the next generation.”

Chris manages stocker cattle, backgrounding, row crops and timber, while his wife, Monica, oversees poultry houses. It’s a family affair, as daughter Brittany Gulledge and son Blake operate a brood cow herd with a focus on pasture-to-plate production.

“When Brittany and Blake came to us with the idea of a processing plant, I thought it was crazy,” Chris said. “After some research, I decided it was a risk worth taking to diversify. It’s an opportunity for them to build their income here.”

Chris’s future-focused mentality expands outside his family.

“One thing that motivates me as vice president is ensuring the next generation, not just my kids and in-laws, has an opportunity — hopefully a better one than we had,” he said. “My granddaddy always said to leave it better than you found it, and that’s what I want for our farm and the Federation.” 

In his new role, Chris will represent 17 counties on the Federation and Alfa Insurance board of directors. Those include Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Macon, Pike, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. 

“It’s a truly humbling experience to be elected to this position,” said Chris, also the Dale County Farmers Federation president. “It’s unique to have a bunch of farmers in the board room, but I believe good farmers are good businessmen. Keeping God as a priority for both organizations has been tremendous, and to me, that’s the key to success.”

The Carrolls have been shaped by Federation involvement since Chris returned to the farm in 2000 after graduating from Auburn University. Chris has served as State Young Farmers Committee chairman and District 12 director on the state board. 

The Carrolls set the standard for service. Chris is a county commissioner, county Cattlemen’s Association board member and former chair of the local Soil & Water Conservation District. Monica serves on the Federation’s State Women’s Leadership Committee, has chaired Alabama’s Farm Services Agency Committee and drives a school bus. They attend Ariton Baptist Church, where they teach Bible school.

Shared service has always been a priority, Monica said. She and Chris were Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family in 2007.

“We’re a team,” she said. “Whatever he’s going after, whatever task, he’s always invited me to be a part of it.” 

Now they’re helping lead the Federation forward.

“We’re going through some tough times in agriculture, but they’ll shape and mold you and definitely bring you closer to the Lord,” Chris said. “The Young Farmers program is extremely important to me because it’s the training ground for the next level. Young Farmers must be successful, and we have to help them, and all farmers, succeed.”