Alabama Farm Family Claims Top Title, Farmer-Delegates Engage in National Policy Process

For the second time in four years, Alabama is home to the nation’s top young farm family. Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County received the Achievement Award during American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Annual Convention Jan. 12 in Anaheim, California.

The accolade honors their impact at Autauga Farming Co. in Autaugaville, plus Farm Bureau involvement, civic service and agricultural advocacy.

The Wendlands’ farm covers row crops, cattle and hay, plus timber, a fertilizer business and custom work. Their most precious crop, however, includes sons Mills, Smith and Rhett.

As Achievement Award winners, the Wendlands receive $35,000 toward a vehicle courtesy of Ford. That builds on the $80,000 prize package they clinched as the state champion.

Nearly 100 Alabama farmers were on hand to celebrate the Wendlands’ win on the West Coast. They joined more than 4,000 farmers from across the U.S. for AFBF’s mammoth meeting Jan. 10-13.

Farmers were entertained and educated during sessions that featured Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Rollins recapped the Trump Administration’s efforts on behalf of farm country, such as reduced regulatory burdens, trade negotiations and critical aid aimed at keeping farmers in agriculture.

Meanwhile, ag labor conversations were held during the Annual Meeting of Voting Delegates. Alabama nurseryman Phillip Hunter chairs the AFBF Ag Labor Issue Advisory Committee and led the charge to clarify the organization’s workforce policy. Hunter is the Alabama Farmers Federation District 6 director and Shelby County Farmers Federation president.

Alabama accrued other accolades during the convention. Those included Awards of Excellence in all four categories; the Navigator Award for membership growth; and a Top 10 placement in Excellence in Agriculture for Josh and Bailey Williams of Tallapoosa County. Drew Wear of Lawrence County competed in Discussion Meet.

Geneva County Farmers Federation expanded its impact during the Trade Show, where its Farm-City Youth Council was honored as a County Activity of Excellence. Just 24 counties were recognized nationwide.

Alabamians also participated in the Flapjack Fundraiser, where Book of the Year “I LOVE Blueberries” was announced, and the Annual Meeting of Farm Bureau Women. Alabama 4-H President Aaliyah Sanders of Henry County and Alabama FFA President Alyx Johnson of Randolph County attended AFBF’s Youth Leadership Program.

Taste of Alabama Brings Legislators and Farmers Together

Alabama-grown food and farmer fellowship were on the menu for the Alabama Farmers Federation's annual Taste of Alabama legislative reception Jan. 21. Federation members from all 67 counties welcomed 150 leaders from across state government to the Federation home office.

This year’s menu included: heirloom corn grits from Bayou Cora Farms, Baldwin County; pulled pork from Bishop’s Barbecue, Colbert County; hanger steak from Perdido River Meats, Escambia County; U.S. farm-raised catfish from Consolidated Catfish, Greene County; grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Houston County; pecans from Priester’s Pecans, Lowndes County; honey from Choctaw Bee Company, Geneva County; ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries, Talladega County; quail and biscuits from Federation Wildlife Committee member Bob Plaster; and more. 

Alfa Donates $30,000 to Children's Hospital

Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell presented a $30,000 check to Children’s of Alabama President and CEO Tom Shufflebarger Jan. 20 to support the Alfa Cares Closet. They were joined by Children’s social workers and Federation employees who coordinated the fundraiser.

Federation members and Alfa Insurance employees raised over $30,000 last year to purchase personal hygiene items for families encountering unexpected overnight stays at Children's of Alabama. The matching cash donation from the Alfa Foundation will allow social workers to purchase other items for patients and parents.

In November, students attending the Alfa Youth Leadership Conference assembled 11,000 dental and shower kits for the Alfa Cares Closet.

Farmers Appointed to State FSA Committee

Five leaders in agriculture were recently appointed to serve on the Alabama U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

They are:

- Shep Morris, Chair: Macon County - row crops and cotton ginning

- Wallace Drury: Hale County - catfish and cattle

- Billy Hixon: Pike County - poultry, row crops and cattle

- Mike Reeves: Morgan County - specialty crops

- Dr. Mykel Taylor: Lee County - Auburn University Agricultural Economics Department

Members of the FSA state committee are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals, maintaining cooperative relations and keeping producers informed about FSA programs.

Shep Morris, Macon County

Chairman

Wallace Drury, Hale County

Billy Hixon, Pike County

Mike Reeves, Morgan County

Dr. Mykel Taylor, Lee County

Sign Up for Legislative Newsletter

The 2026 Alabama legislative session kicked off Jan. 13. Every Friday during the session, the Alabama Farmers Federation provides legislative news and updates concerning farmers and Federation members in the Capitol Connection newsletter.

Mobile County Farmer Honored for Green Industry Work

Mobile County’s Dillon Turk received the Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association’s (ALNLA) Horizon Award last week during the Gulf States Horticultural Expo in Mobile.

The Horizon Award recognizes an individual for outstanding service in horticulture. Recipients must be active in the industry, younger than 36 and considered progressive, innovative horticulturists who hold active ALNLA membership.

Turk and his wife, Hannah, raise their three children on his family nursery in Semmes. Martin’s Nursery was founded in 1973 by Turk’s maternal grandfather, Buddy Martin. The family farmland, once a dairy, gradually shifted from an 8-acre nursery to its current 160 acres of azalea and ornamental plant production.

Turk, the 2024 Alabama Farmers Federation State Young Farmers Committee chair, is a Mobile County Farmers Federation board member and a member of the Federation’s State Greenhouse, Nursery and Sod Committee.

Register for Young Farmers Conference, Apply for Young Farm Family Contest

Quick Clicks

• Applications to apply for a hemp growers' license through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries close Feb. 15. Learn more.

• The Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor banquet is Feb. 20 in Auburn. Register to attend by Feb. 9.

• Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced 19 Alabama counties were named as primary natural disaster areas due to recent drought. Those include Barbour, Bibb, Butler, Chambers, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Monroe, Pickens, Pike, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties. Learn more.

New Season of Simply Southern TV

Enjoy more episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 12th season.

Jan. 25: Wetumpka's Wildlife Art Festival, EG's BBQ in Bug Tussle, Alabama Extension's high school program on dangers of vaping and Stacey Little's Shortcut Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.

Feb. 1: Excellence in Agriculture winners Josh and Bailey Williams, Dothan Botanical Gardens, Alabama Extension segment on pollinator gardens and Stacey Little's Shrimp and Grits.

Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.

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