The Alabama Farmers Federation Department of Organization recently underwent a realignment following the November 2013 retirements of two area organization directors, Tom Jones and Ralph Golden.

Wallace Drury, David Heflin and Preston Roberts are the three newest area organization directors in the department.

Administrative assistant Ashton Monk also joined the department to replace Leanne Worthington, who accepted the position as administrative assistant to Executive Director Paul Pinyan. Organization Director Mike Tidwell said he was excited about the additions to the staff.

“Though the decades of experience retirees took with them is irreplaceable, I am excited to have Wallace, David and Preston join the field staff. I know they will work hard to best represent our farmers and members,” Tidwell said. “I am also pleased to announce the addition of Ashton Monk. Ashton’s strong organizational skills, sweet spirit and interest in agriculture are assets to this organization, and I am confident her abilities will serve our members well.”

The new field staff additions brought a redistribution of area territories. Drury now represents Area 6, which includes Bibb, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties; Heflin represents Area 5, which includes Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties; and Roberts represents Area 7, which includes Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph and Russell counties. A former Alfa Insurance agent, Drury said he was looking forward to working with those close to his heart — Federation farmers and members.

“I am very excited and privileged to be with the Alabama Farmers Federation,” said Drury, a Hale County native and Auburn University graduate. “Growing up on a family farm, I developed a strong passion for agriculture at a young age. I am honored to work with our farmers across the state.”

Roberts, an Auburn grad with a degree in fisheries and allied aquaculture, is a native of Shelby County. He formerly worked for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Roberts said he was eager to strengthen agriculture’s perception in the state.

“The Alabama Farmers Federation is a great organization that truly feels like a family,” Roberts said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside farmers to promote agriculture in Alabama.”

Heflin graduated from Auburn with a degree in forestry and previously worked for Alabama Power. “The opportunity to work with such a great group of people is a dream come true,” said Heflin, a Chilton County native. “This organization has a proud history of serving its members, and I’m humbled to help carry on this tradition.”

Rounding out the new hires in the Organization Department, Monk, a Conecuh County native, has a degree in agricultural business and economics from Auburn University.

“It’s a blessing and honor to work with this organization which has the sole purpose to serve and be a voice for our farmers,” Monk said. “The Federation staff is great and everyone truly has a heart for the betterment of the farm industry and our state’s farmers. I’m excited to be here and for my journey ahead.”