Farmers Federation elects directors, presents awards

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County Farmers Federation elected four directors and honored two individuals for their contributions to agriculture at its annual membership meeting in Hartselle on Friday night.
Kenneth Anders, Mike Childers, Howard Jenkins and Mike Reeves were elected to serve on the federation’s board of directors.
A $50,000 scholarship endowment at Auburn University was announced in memory of Henry Bullard, a Trinity farmer who was a member and officer of the federation for more than 60 years and a director for the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District for 30 years.
Dr. Paul Patterson, dean of instruction for the AU College of Agriculture, acknowledged the endowment and indicated that the first scholarship from it will be awarded in the 2010-2011school year.
Harry Houston, a retired Morgan County agent coordinator, was named recipient of the federation’s first Service to Agriculture award. He was recognized for pioneering the introduction of no-till farming in Morgan County.
In presenting the award, Federation president Ted Grantland recalled that Houston observed no-till farming while touring farm operations in Virginia and later returned to purchase a no-till planter because the piece of equipment was not available in Alabama.
Houston, in accepting the award, credited Billy Mack Willis of Cotaco as having a half-interest in the planter and reported that he still has the planter at his farm. Houston retired from the Extension in 1986 after 33 years.
The federation also presented six college scholarships. The recipients are Breanna Adams Harley Tripp, Ryan Partain, Phillip Grantland and Marissa Carden.
A resolution aimed at extending high technology energy-saving benefits to poultry farmers was approved by the approximately 200 members present.
Cash and merchandise door prizes were awarded to members holding lucky tickets and everyone shared in a serving of homemade ice cream.