CULLMAN, Ala. – Caleb Elrod, a cattle farmer and principal of Parkside School in Cullman County, has been selected to participate in Class VII of Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) following a strenuous application and interview process.
Elrod is one of 14 participants who will become part of a distinguished network of Alabama Farmers Federation leaders whose involvement and personal growth advanced through the prestigious leadership experience.
Sponsored by the Federation, A.L.F.A. Leaders creates an intensive learning experience by focusing on personal development, political involvement, effective communication and understanding of grassroots leadership.
“Being a principal, I think it’s important to continue growing as a leader,” Elrod said. “There is no better way to grow your leadership than with the Farmers Federation and A.L.F.A. Leaders.”
Program graduates have gone on to become county presidents, board members, legislators and other leaders at the local, state and national level. More than 300 difference-makers have graduated from A.L.F.A. Leaders and its predecessor, the Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Development Program.
“A.L.F.A. Leaders is Alabama’s premier ag leadership initiative,” said Federation Ag Leadership Programs Director Hunter McBrayer, who is a Class IV graduate. “It is refining leadership and creating better advocates for agriculture across local communities, Alabama and our country. A.L.F.A. Leaders changes lives.”
The program begins in September and will conclude with a capstone project presentation and graduation at the 2028 Farm & Land Conference.
Participants were chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of former class members and stakeholders with a deep-rooted commitment to agricultural leadership development.
Selection is based on community involvement, personal ability and character. The program is designed for agricultural leaders ages 25 to 45.
Members of A.L.F.A. Leaders Class VII are:
- Shelby Easterling, Barbour County, poultry, cattle and sheep farmer
- Charlie Langley, Chambers County, cattle farmer and logger
- Karah Skinner, Cleburne County, cattle farmer and social media influencer
- Jonathan Sanders, Coffee County, row crop and cattle farmer
- Caleb Elrod, Cullman County, cattle farmer and school principal
- Amanda Baker, Fayette County, cattle ultrasound technician and meat market owner
- Tyler Walker, Geneva County, commercial beekeeper
- William Stewart, Jackson County, row crop farmer
- Hunter Rogers, Limestone County, agriscience teacher
- Kristen Roberson, Marshall County, county Extension director
- Jake Tucker, Monroe County, cattle farmer and agricultural lender
- Laura Jean Mitchell, Montgomery County, agricultural communicator
- Ben Johnson, Randolph County, poultry, cattle and row crop farmer
- Levi Noles, Randolph County, agriscience teacher
