The week leading up to Thanksgiving, November 16-22, is National Farm-City Week. The 2018 National Ag Day and Alabama Farm-City theme this year is “200 Years of Alabama Agriculture.”

In the past 200 years, technology has transformed Alabama’s agricultural footprint and its cityscapes. The old mule and plow have been replaced by GPS-enabled tractors and cover crops. Farmers have embraced the importance of crop rotation and agricultural diversification to conserve soil nutrients and protect against market fluctuations. The former “Cotton State” now produces a vast array of agricultural products—from timber, beef, pork and poultry to fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, corn and soybeans.

Alabama’s Bicentennial is a great time for all Alabamian’s to celebrate the rich history and tradition that make us happy to call this state home. The Alabama Farm-City Committee is proud to join in the commemoration as we celebrate the contributions of our state’s farmers over the past 200 years.

As a part of this celebration, the St. Clair County Farm-City Committee held their annual Farm City Banquet Monday evening, November 12, at the ALFA Farmers Federation Building in Ashville. Dr. Gary Lemme, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Director, for braved the weather and traveled to St. Clair County from Auburn University to serve as key-note speaker.

Dr. Lemme shared a lot of interesting statistics and the role of agriculture in Alabama. In the 1900 census, Alabama had 223,220 farms and the average size was 92 acres. 52% of the farmers were Caucasian, 63% classified themselves as cotton farmers, 30% owned their farmland and 57% were tenants. In contrast, in 2017 Alabama had 43,600 farms (20% of the 1900 farms) and the average size is 204 acres, 93% of the farmers are Caucasian, 44% are full time farmers, 12% of the farms are run by females, and the average farmers is 59 years old. In 1930, each farmer fed 4 people, in 1940 each farmer fed 18 people and in 2016, each farmer fed 164 people.

He also shared what agriculture looks like here in St. Clair County. There are 540 farms which average 125 acres, and the average farmers are 60 years old, 15% of the farms are operated by females, 97% of St. Clair County farmers are Caucasian, agriculture accounts for $64.8 million in sales (36th highest county in Alabama), of which 15% are crops (forage, vegetables, sod, and corn on 53% of county), 84% is poultry and livestock, 80% poultry, and 4% beef. 

The owners/family members of Smith Tomato, LLC was recognized as the St. Clair County’s 2018 Outstanding Farm Family. Their farm is located on Chandler Mountain and has been in their family for many decades. Currently, the family farms 100 net acres of tomatoes annually that on average produce around 200,000 boxes of tomatoes. Approximately 3,600 plants are planted to an acre and several plantings or stages are planted throughout the spring and summer. They begin harvesting in late June or early July and finish in late October. Most days they harvest from 2,000—6,000 boxes a day. Chandler Mountain has been a tomato growing region for many decades because of the sandy rich soils and the elevations of 1,300—1,500 feet which create cooler temperatures. For many years, the Smith Tomato family has taken pride in growing the best, top quality vine-ripened tomatoes; pride in it so much it’s labeled that way on their tomato box!

4-H’ers from across the county who participated in the Farm-City poster contest in the 4th-6th grade division were also recognized during the banquet. Congratulations to the following poster winners who received not only a certificate and ribbon but also a monetary prize provided by the St. Clair County Farmers Federation:

1st Place: Samantha Tetreault, 5th Grade Williams Intermediate – Mrs. Reynolds, teacher

2nd Place: Kyah Washington, 4th Grade Margaret Elementary – Ms. Hayden, teacher

3rd Place: Ansley Brashier, Ashville Middle 5th Grade – Mrs. Boisell, teacher

Honorable Mentions in the 4th-6th grade division were also recognized and received a certificate and monetary prize that was provided by the St. Clair County Farmers Federation:

Reese Thrower,

Harper Thrower,

Zoey Wester,

Dylan Palmer,

Lauren McClure,

Jackson Otwell,

Ella Goree,

Kynlee Haynes,

Laura Grace Whitt,

Lydia Northam

“Special thanks to Mrs. Becky Staples, 4-H Agent Assistant, for all her hard work to make this year’s poster contest such a success and to the St. Clair County Farmers Federation for providing prizes for our winners,” said St. Clair County Extension Coordinator Lee Ann Clark, “and thank you to Dr. Gary Lemme for serving as our key-note speaker this year as well to everyone who attended this year’s banquet! We hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving!”