Young, enterprising Alabama agriculturalists can learn from generations of experience during farm tours at the 2018 Young Farmers Conference in Montgomery March 2-3. Registration clos

es Jan. 22 at     AlfaFarmers.org. 

The conference kicks off at the Renaissance Hotel Friday evening with dinner and a welcome from Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. Fun Pianos by 176 Keys, a dueling piano show, will entertain attendees afterward. Learn more at duelingpiano.com.

The next morning, three tours depart for farms across central and southeast Alabama, an event State Young Farmers Committee (YFC) members said they’re excited to bring back for a second year.

“We’ve branched out to include diverse farms spanning several counties,” said YFC Chairman Ben Maples of Limestone County. “There’s a wealth of knowledge available for young farmers to learn from experienced producers on multi-generational operations.”

Tour A heads to Dallas County, where stops include Pearce Catfish Farm; Orrville Farmers Market, a 2017 Bama’s Best Catfish finalist; and Bell Place Farms, a row crop operation.

Tour B covers animal agriculture and horticulture, with stops at Robertson/Lanier & McKay Cattle Co. in Chambers County, Auburn University’s National Poultry Technology Center and Young’s Plant Farm in Lee County.

Tour C journeys farther south to Parkman Cattle Co. in Montgomery County, followed by Gene and Jana Renfroe’s TREASURE Forest and Steve Stroud’s poultry and hay farm, both in Pike County.

Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) finalists will be named during Saturday’s closing banquet. A live auction benefiting the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation wraps up the conference.

OYFF applications are due Jan. 15 and can be found at AlfaYoungFarmers.org.