Morgan County Cattlemen presented 13 college scholarships at their annual picnic Saturday. Those present to receive their awards, from left, are Thomas Jenkins, Seth Pillow, Haley Grace Cunningham, Andrew Hampton and Jared Rowe. Pictured behind is the organization’s president, Tim Shaneyfelt. Scholarship winners not pictured are Alice Ann Glasgow, Jordan Turney, Benjamin Turney, Jake Jenkins, Carrie Hill, Issac Alexander, Dillon Bullard and Emily Hill. | Clif Knight

The Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association met Saturday for their annual picnic at Diamond S. Farms in east Morgan County. More than 100 members, spouses and guests enjoyed the outdoor cookout.

State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, addressed the group about the potential benefits of farm irrigation and shared information about an unsuccessful irrigation tax credit bill he sponsored in the 2013 legislative session.

Senate Bill 204 proposed a tax credit equal to 20 percent of the total unreimbursed cost (up to $10,000) of the purchase and installation of any qualified irrigation equipment, any unreimbursed costs related to conversion of irrigation equipment from fuel to electricity or any unreimbursed cost of construction of a reservoir.

“We are sending millions of dollars a year to the Midwest to purchase corn,” Orr explained. “I think it’s a good idea for us to keep that money in Alabama. We work hard to bring industries to Alabama, but a lot of the money spent for products Alabama makes leaves the state. On the other hand, most of the money generated from agricultural products remains at home. I plan to continue to work for this bill. If you have ideas that we can use to promote it in the Legislature, please let me know.”

The presentation of 14 college scholarships was a highlight of the meeting. Jessica Wallace received a scholarship from the Morgan County Cattlewomen, and Jared Rowe received the Sherman Kirby Memorial Scholarship.

The Cattlemen awarded scholarships to Haley Grace Cunningham, Alice Ann Glasgow, Jordan Turney, Thomas Dalton Jenkins, Seth Pillow, Benjamin Turney, Jake Jenkins, Carrie Hill, Isaac Alexander, Andrew Hampton, Dillon Bullard, Emily Hill and Thomas Jenkins.

Jessica Wallace, right, receives a college scholarship from Morgan County Cattlewomen. The scholarship was awarded by the association’s president, Diane Griffith, at the annual picnic of the Morgan County Cattlemen Saturday. | Clif Knight