By Jeff Helms

For 30 years, Kevin Worthington was the voice of the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance — the warm resonance and punctuating lilt of his words creating the soundtrack for countless videos. 

Reflecting on his recent retirement, however, the former broadcast director is most proud of amplifying farmers’ voices. 

“It was always a joy for me to be able to tell the general public what the farmers were feeling, what they were going through and what they needed at certain points in time,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine coming to work where my job was just to promote a company. At Alfa, I got to promote agriculture, and it was a joy.”

Worthington selflessly advanced the Federation’s mission under three state presidents and helped the organization celebrate both its 75th and centennial anniversaries. He first met current Federation and Alfa CEO Jimmy Parnell during an Outstanding Young Farm Family interview in the mid ‘90s.

“Kevin didn’t just tell farmers’ stories. He is our friend,” Parnell said. “It’s hard to imagine watching a Federation or Alfa video and not hearing his voice. He is a talented videographer, writer and editor, but the reason Kevin is loved by our members is because he cares about them and what agriculture means to this country.”

Although he was raised in Montgomery, Worthington developed a love of farming while helping his great-uncle feed cows in nearby Pintlala. 

“My mother calls me a frustrated farmer,” Worthington said. “When this job came about, I remember calling and telling her, ‘I have found what I’m supposed to do because it’s the two things I love the most. It’s television, and it’s agriculture together!’ It was the perfect job for me.”

Worthington came to the Federation after more than a decade in radio and television. Known in central Alabama as Kevin King, he developed a nose for news as assignment editor at WAKA and polished his on-air skills as an anchor, reporter and weatherman at WHOA and WSFA. During his Alfa career, Worthington shepherded the Broadcast Division from linear editing using Betacam tapes to high-definition digital video production. He also launched Simply Southern TV, now in its 12th year. 

Worthington recalled when Federation leadership approached him in September 2014 with the idea for a weekly television show. At the time, he was the only broadcast employee, but Worthington didn’t hesitate. Four months later, Simply Southern was on air. 

That can-do attitude was a hallmark of Worthington’s tenure. Whether grabbing gear on a weekend and heading into the wake of a tornado, training scores of farmers on how to share their stories or serving as emcee for everything from awards programs to Barnyard Olympics, Worthington answered the call.

A similar sense of duty was the deciding factor in his retirement. Worthington said he wants to spend more time with his parents, both in their 80s, and volunteer more at Redland Baptist Church. He also looks forward to spoiling his seven — soon to be eight — grandkids. 

With such an emphasis on family, it’s not surprising Worthington’s most heartfelt reflections focused on the kinship he feels with farmers and the literal family he found as a staff member. 

“My life changed because of Alfa, and it changed for the better,” he said, recalling how he met his wife, Leanne, who is now an executive administrative assistant, and her daughter, Chelsea. “If I had never drawn a paycheck from Alfa, I would be leaving with more than I brought to the table. Nothing can compare to finding the love of my life there and gaining a daughter, who has been the light of my life.”