Life has taken Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee Chairman Faye Dial from the fields of her father’s Black Belt farm to the halls of government with her husband State Sen. Gerald Dial. Through it all, one thing remained consistent – her commitment to agriculture and the state’s largest farm organization.

“I grew up on a farm in Choctaw County. Dad was a farmer, a teacher and a principal, and he served as president of the Choctaw County Farmers Federation for more than 20 years,” said Dial, a retired Clay County educator who owns nearly 300 acres of timber land. “My mother was also very active in the Federation and served many years on the county’s Women’s Committee. As they aged, I would take them to meetings and, while there, learned just how important the organization is to farmers across the state. I guess you could say the Alabama Farmers Federation has always been a part of my life, and I’m better for it.”

During her one-year term, Dial said her priority will be establishing and strengthening Women’s Leadership Committees in each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

“A bulk of Alabama’s counties have active committees, but not all. Still, I know there are talented women across the state who would be assets to our committee,” she explained. “After all, good people are everywhere. We will reach out to the community – to the wives, sisters and daughters of farmers – and find women who are passionate about telling agriculture’s story. These individuals are already hard-working, and it would be great to utilize their talents to better our organization, our state and, ultimately, everyone’s view of agriculture.”

Dial worked as a teacher and guidance counselor at Lineville High School for 36 years and currently holds a recruiting position with Southern Union Community College.

“You could say I’m a workaholic,” Dial said, smiling.

Dial is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honorary society of female educators; vice president of the Clay County Retired Teachers Association; chairman of the Quality Assurance Team for the Department of Human Resources’ foster care division; and chairman of the Clay County Women’s Leadership and Farm-City committees. Serving as chairman of the Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee, however, is the culmination of a lifetime of service.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named chairman of such a wonderful group of ladies,” said Dial, who previously served as vice chairman and secretary of the state committee. “I look forward to doing the very best job I can working for others… something I feel I’ve done my entire life.”

Away from committee responsibilities, Dial said she enjoys spending time with her husband, children Melanie Lamb and Jason Dial, and granddaughters Stephanie and Katie Lamb. The Dials are active members of Lineville Baptist Church.