Farm-City honors exceptional students, volunteers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Farm-City celebrated the multiplying effect of county committees’ work in schools and communities during its annual awards luncheon April 17 in Auburn. The program concluded the yearlong theme “Our Community Counts on Farmers,” a nod to the most recent Census of Agriculture.
Over 350 students, county leaders and industry representatives attended the event, held in conjunction with the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Conference.
Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms hailed volunteers’ work to connect rural and urban dwellers.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Alabama Farm-City,” said Helms, also the Federation Communications Department director. “Their generous gifts of time, talent and creativity have an immeasurable impact on their communities. They understand that it is vital to show citizens of all ages just how important agriculture is to our state. Every year, I’m amazed at their ability to rally around a common cause and cultivate connections with neighbors.”
Award-winning students
Eighteen students who harnessed bright colors, vivid text or creative digital media were honored for placing in poster, essay and video contests. Those Kindergarten through 12th grade competitors represented 14 counties.
Winners and runners-up in poster and essay contests received cash prizes from Alabama Ag in the Classroom, while Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) sponsored the video contest. Schools of first- and second-place scorers received matching cash prizes.
Winning works will be featured in the 2026 Alabama Farm-City Calendar.
Poster Contest, Kindergarten-Third Grade
- First and $200: Lincoln Moore, Southside Elementary School, Etowah County
- Second and $100: Savannah Salter, The Lakeside School, Barbour County
- Third and $75: Jackson Belcher, Bagley Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Fourth and $60: Reason Rutherford, Holly Pond K8, Cullman County
- Fifth and $40: Everlie Harrison, Clanton Elementary School, Chilton County
- Sixth and $25: Canaan Murphy, Sand Rock School, Cherokee County
Poster Contest, Fourth-Sixth Grade
- First and $200: Addi Waldrop, Bagley Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Second and $100: Ariana Sullivan Le, Prattville Intermediate School, Autauga County
- Third and $75: Corbitt Dyess, Mulkey Elementary School, Geneva County
- Fourth and $60: MarLee Whitehead, Holly Pond K8, Cullman County
- Fifth and $40: Skylynn Smith, Sulligent Elementary School, Lamar County
- Sixth and $25: Millie Henderson, Ohatchee Elementary School, Calhoun County
Essay Contest, Seventh-Ninth Grade
- First and $300: Olivia Gregory, Pike Liberal Arts School, Pike County
- Second and $200: Cheyanne Johnson, Billingsley School, Autauga County
Essay Contest, 10th-12th Grade
- First and $300: Maeleigh Gray, Geneva High School, Geneva County
- Second and $200: Emma Rambo, Phil Campbell High School, Franklin County
Video Contest, Ninth-12th Grade
- First and $300: Isabel Arriaga, Lawrence County High School, Lawrence County
- Second and $200: Jake Webb, Hamilton High School, Marion County
Exceptional counties
In addition to selecting student winners, judges pored over exceptional entries from county Farm-City committees.
Division winners scored $300 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, while runners-up received $200. Each category win netted the committee $100.
Division I
- Dale County: Best Farm-City Committee; Innovative Idea Award
- Lee County: Runner-up Best Farm-City Committee; Scrapbook Award
- Coffee County: Best Farm-City Tour
- Houston County: Best Farm-City Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Chilton County: Best Media Coverage/Proclamation
- St. Clair County: Best Civic Club Programs
- Cullman County: Best Special Activities
- Walker County: Target Award
Division II
- Geneva County: Best Farm-City Committee; Scrapbook Award; Best Civic Club Activities; Target Award
- Franklin County: Runner-up Best Farm-City Committee; Best Farm-City Tour
- Clay County: Innovative Idea Award
- Fayette County: Best Farm-City Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Randolph County: Best Media Coverage/Proclamation
- Cherokee County: Best Special Activities
Additionally, Dan and Pat Presley of Coffee County were honored as the Volunteers of the Year, while Landon Marks of Cherokee County received the Service Award.
Farm of Distinction
During the program, Bar Neal Farms was named the 2025 Farm of Distinction for its commitment to stewardship, support of young farmers and community impact.
Nealy and Jennie Barrett manage the decades-old cow-calf and stocker operation in Elmore County alongside their son, Justin, and daughter-in-law, Jordan.
As Farm of Distinction winners, the Barretts will receive an engraved farm sign from Alfa Insurance and the Federation; a John Deere Gator from John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen; $1,000 from First South Farm Credit; and a $1,000 gift card from AFC.
Additionally, Nealy will represent Alabama during the Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest this fall.
