A.J. Watson, a resident of Wetumpka, has joined the Alabama Farmers Federation Department of Public Relations and Communications as an agricultural communications specialist. He began work in the department April 7.

Watson, 24, is a 2013 graduate of Troy University. He comes to the Federation from Tallapoosa Publishers Inc., a newspaper company with publications near the Lake Martin area.

“A.J. has experience in all phases of the publications business from writing and photography to advertising,” said Federation Public Relations and Communications Director Jeff Helms. “These skills, coupled with his knowledge of the organization from family connections, will allow him to hit the ground running.”

Watson studied Spanish and print journalism at Troy, where he also served as a resident assistant, news editor of The Tropolitan and senator for his dorm in the Student Government Association. Watson will write news and feature stories for the Federation’s print publications and website and will work on various public relations projects with other staff members.

Watson said he is excited to work for an organization with such a distinguished history of serving farmers and all Alabamians. “My family owns a small tree farm – both short-leaf and long-leaf pine – near Gantt, so I’m very familiar with the Federation culture, and I know it has a sterling reputation in whatever it’s involved in,” he said. “I can’t wait to get in the mix of things and do whatever I can to help the farmers we represent and the employees who work here.”

Watson said his newspaper background would provide an easy transition into the department.

“The Public Relations and Communications Department at the Federation is amazing from top to bottom, as evidenced by its Excellence Award at the AFBF Annual Convention last December,” Watson said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work for an organization that represents the state’s largest industry and some of the best people anywhere — farmers.”