By Maggie Edwards 

Wiregrass Young Farmers brought the Smile-A-Mile mission to life during a family farm day in Dothan. 

That included spreading love and smiles to children and families affected by childhood cancer. Farmers like Cade and Shelby Easterling of Barbour County played a role in Smile-A-Mile on the Farm April 14.

“It was humbling,” Shelby said. “Seeing families having fun and interacting with farm animals was heartwarming. We were told to view it as a big birthday party. That’s exactly what it was. It was an honor to give children the opportunity to truly be kids.”

District 7 Young Farmers from Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties joined the Wiregrass Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) to craft joyful memories for 20 families at Landmark Park. 

Those young county leaders brought the event to life with kid-friendly farm elements. Interactive stations highlighted chickens, strawberries, horses and cattle, plus a roping dummy where children channeled their inner cowboy. Generous farm entities like Alabama Ag Credit and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association provided prizes and peanuts for the 100 attendees.

“What we did was a small but meaningful part,” said Cade, the Barbour County Young Farmers Committee chair. “It added hands-on interaction. Picking up chicks, roping and sitting on tractors isn’t something these kids ever get to do.” 

Alabama Farmers Federation members helped spread smiles through agriculture, said Federation State Young Farmers Committee member Emmanuel Bankston, who represents District 7.

“We’ve built a good culture of service, friendship and farming,” said Bankston of Henry County. “I was proud to see the counties I represent come together. It was a pinnacle moment for me.”

Houston County Young Farmers Committee Chair Serah Hall echoed Bankston, noting how well the Federation was represented.

“We were the boots-on-the-ground people,” Hall said. “We had as much fun helping as the kids did attending.”

That just shows how much impact the event had, said Federation Area 8 Director Jacob Davis. 

“Seeing Young Farmers selflessly give their time and talents to serve families who have been through so much was encouraging and inspiring,” Davis said. “I’m thankful Wiregrass RC&D extended an invitation for our members to pitch in and help.” 

Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer praised District 7 for giving back. 

“It’s something to be proud of,” McBrayer said. “This outreach shows the caliber of people who make up our organization. It tells me we’re fulfilling what we’re here to do — build leaders who care about their communities and neighbors.”