MONTGOMERY — Calhoun County farmer and greenhouse owner Jon Hegeman was re-elected to a fourth term as Central Area vice president during the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 104th annual meeting on Dec. 8, marking a continued leadership role for the region he represents.
Hegeman will again serve farmers across Autauga, Bibb, Calhoun, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties. His re-election maintains Calhoun County’s established presence in the Federation’s statewide decision-making and policy efforts.
This year’s business session also included a historic milestone for the organization, as delegates elected the Federation’s first female state board officer.
Baldwin County’s Hope Cassebaum was elected Southwest Area vice president, succeeding Jake Harper of Wilcox County, who completed 32 cumulative years on the board and was ineligible for reelection due to term limits.
“Thank you for allowing me this opportunity,” Cassebaum said to the 479 delegates present. “I am very excited about this, representing the Southwest Area. Coming behind Jake, I have big shoes to fill.”
Delegates also selected four farmers to three-year terms as district directors:
-
District 2: Madison County row crop farmer Charles Butler was elected to represent Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties, succeeding Jeff Peek of Limestone County.
Paid Advertising -
District 5: Lamar County cattle and hay producer Will Gilmer will represent Bibb, Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar and Tuscaloosa counties, succeeding Joe Anders of Tuscaloosa County.
-
District 8: Pickens County poultry and cattle farmer Stewart Koon will serve Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens and Sumter counties, replacing Tommy Martin of Hale County.
-
District 11: Baldwin County’s Mark Kaiser was reelected to represent Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.
In additional organizational business, Conecuh County’s Steve Dunn was chosen to serve his 14th two-year term as secretary-treasurer, a statewide role covering all 67 counties. Dunn is a row crop and cattle farmer.
Cullman County’s Lisa Lake and Morgan County’s Forrest Anders will serve one-year ex-officio terms on the state board after being elected chairs of the State Women’s Leadership Committee and State Young Farmers Committee, respectively.
