Pictured on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol are: Front row: Noel Welch of Pike County, Nic Cornelison of Jackson County, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Ellie Watson of Autauga County, Ali Gotcher of Colbert County, Laura Beth Gamache of Lee County, and Evan Nelson of Jefferson County. Middle row: Isaac Jones of Cherokee County, Rejeana Gvillo of Hale County, Whitney Haynes of Cullman County, Daniel Mullenix of Lee County, Sid Phelps of Tallapoosa County, Cara Cornutt of Marshall County and Joe Corcoran of Barbour County. Back row: Matt Smith of St. Clair County, Trevor Collier of Lauderdale County, Josh McCutcheon of Blount County, Destry Hopper of Baldwin County and Sidney McKathan of Covington County.
by Tanner Hood and Mary Wilson
As part of the prestigious A.L.F.A. Leaders Class VI, 18 leaders in Alabama agriculture spent Feb. 27 through March 1 in Montgomery, Alabama, meeting with elected officials, touring state government institutions and learning how agricultural organizations operate.
The class spent Tuesday learning the legislative process during visits with House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Legislative Services Agency Director Othni Lathram and a host of legislators during lunch. The afternoon consisted of visits to the House and Senate concluding with a tour of the Capitol hosted by State Auditor Andrew Sorrell. The day finished with a legislative reception hosted by the Alabama Agribusiness Council.
Wednesday was spent meeting with Gov. Kay Ivey, attending legislative committee meetings and touring the Alabama Supreme Court.
The class visited with agricultural organizations based in Montgomery on Thursday including Alabama Cattleman’s Association, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.
A.L.F.A. (Agricultural Leaders for Alabama) Leaders is a two-year, six-session, intensive leadership program of the Alabama Farmers Federation. Participants are selected through an application and interview process. Trainings center around agricultural policy, industry leadership, effective communication and organizational involvement.
