Nearly 700 farmers representing every major commodity grown in Alabama elected state committee members recently who help chart the course for the state’s largest farm organization during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s three-day Commodity Organizational Meeting.
The Federation’s Brian Hardin said these farmers determine goals for their respective commodities, help set the organization’s policy and elect state committee leaders.
“The committee structure is a great way for our farmers to choose what the organization will work on,” said Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs director. “In addition to elections for the 17 commodities our organization represents, farmers can learn about research and discuss governmental regulations and production practices.”
Hale County’s Townsend Kyser agrees. He said serving on the State Catfish Committee allows farmers to work directly with the Federation to help resolve on-farm and legislative issues.
“We elect spokesmen to deal with our issues as they arise and help look after our industry,” Kyser said. “That allows farmers back home to tend to the daily needs of their farms and commodity. At this meeting, it’s also nice to see other people from across the state who we don’t interact with a lot throughout the year.”
In addition to electing new commodity leaders, outgoing commodity committee members are honored during lunch each day. Among those was Stanley Waters of Marengo County who served on the Wheat and Field Grains Committee.