Locals earn statewide Farm-City honors

Farm-City honors exceptional students, volunteers

Marlee whitehead of cullman county was honored for earning fourth place in the alabama farm-city fourth-sixth grade poster contest april 17 during an annual awards luncheon in auburn. Whitehead is a student at holly pond k-8. They received $60 from alabama ag in the classroom (aitc) for their poster, which showcased the theme of “our community counts on farmers. ” from left are alabama farm-city committee chair jeff helms, whitehead and alabama aitc steering committee chair kim earwood.

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Reason Rutherford of Cullman County was honored for earning fourth place in the Alabama Farm-City Kindergarten-Third Grade Poster Contest April 17 during an annual awards luncheon in Auburn. Rutherford is a student at Holly Pond K-8. They received $60 from Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC) for their poster, which showcased the theme of “Our Community Counts on Farmers.” From left are Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms, Rutherford and Alabama AITC Steering Committee Chair Kim Earwood.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Farm-City celebrated the multiplying effect of county committees’ work in schools and communities during its annual awards luncheon April 17 in Auburn. The program concluded the yearlong theme “Our Community Counts on Farmers,” a nod to the most recent Census of Agriculture.

Over 350 students, county leaders and industry representatives attended the event, held in conjunction with the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Conference.

Alabama Farm-City Committee Chair Jeff Helms hailed volunteers’ work to connect rural and urban dwellers.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Alabama Farm-City,” said Helms, also the Federation Communications Department director. “Their generous gifts of time, talent and creativity have an immeasurable impact on their communities. They understand that it is vital to show citizens of all ages just how important agriculture is to our state. Every year, I’m amazed at their ability to rally around a common cause and cultivate connections with neighbors.”

Award-winning students

Eighteen students who harnessed bright colors, vivid text or creative digital media were honored for placing in poster, essay and video contests. Those Kindergarten through 12th grade competitors represented 14 counties.

Winners and runners-up in poster and essay contests received cash prizes from Alabama Ag in the Classroom, while Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) sponsored the video contest. Schools of first- and second-place scorers received matching cash prizes.

Winning works will be featured in the 2026 Alabama Farm-City Calendar.

Poster Contest, Kindergarten-Third Grade

First and $200: Lincoln Moore, Southside Elementary School, Etowah County
Second and $100: Savannah Salter, The Lakeside School, Barbour County
Third and $75: Jackson Belcher, Bagley Elementary School, Jefferson County
Fourth and $60: Reason Rutherford, Holly Pond K8, Cullman County
Fifth and $40: Everlie Harrison, Clanton Elementary School, Chilton County
Sixth and $25: Canaan Murphy, Sand Rock School, Cherokee County

Poster Contest, Fourth-Sixth Grade

First and $200: Addi Waldrop, Bagley Elementary School, Jefferson County
Second and $100: Ariana Sullivan Le, Prattville Intermediate School, Autauga County
Third and $75: Corbitt Dyess, Mulkey Elementary School, Geneva County
Fourth and $60: MarLee Whitehead, Holly Pond K8, Cullman County
Fifth and $40: Skylynn Smith, Sulligent Elementary School, Lamar County
Sixth and $25: Millie Henderson, Ohatchee Elementary School, Calhoun County

Essay Contest, Seventh-Ninth Grade