Horse enthusiasts from throughout the state gathered for the first meeting of the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Equine Division Feb. 6 at the annual Commodity Organizational Conference in Birmingham.Alabama Farmers Federation President Jerry A. Newby greeted a room packed with horse breeders and hobbyists alike, all eager to learn how equines will fit into the organization’s commodity structure.”I see a lot of new faces here today,” Newby said. “Our goal is to try to make you all more prosperous on your farm through educational meetings and to provide you the opportunity for fellowship with farmers throughout the state.”I think the equine division will be a win-win situation for everyone. You will win by having more of a voice in Washington and in Montgomery on legislative issues that are important to you. Our organization will win because we will have more people involved as a voice for agriculture.”Perry Mobley, who already serves as director for the Beef Division and Hay & Forage Division, is also now director for the Equine Division. He said the interest in the new division includes all breeds within the state and various disciplines ranging from recreational trail riders to those who breed and raise horses for a living.”I’m excited to work with the new Equine Division,” Mobley said. “It’s the first organization of its kind in the state and will focus on issues, not events, that affect the equine industry of our state. We will reach across all breeds and disciplines to work for the greater good of the state’s entire equine industry.”The new Equine Division joins 16 other commodity groups organized within the Federation. To date, 40 county Federations have formed equine committees.