Montgomery, AL – Rick Pate’s practical approach and down-to-earth demeanor have defined his six-year tenure as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI). His focus on solutions and service earned him the Alabama Farmers Federation Service to Agriculture Award, presented during the Federation’s annual meeting in Montgomery on December 9.
Humbled by the recognition, Pate deflected the praise to ADAI’s 350 employees.
“They’ll give the award to me, and it’ll say I’m winning, but it’s not about me,” said Pate, who grew up on a poultry and cattle farm in Lowndes County. “People have told me what a good job I’m doing, and that’s because of the people at the department and the job they’re doing. We’re a team.”
Under Pate’s leadership, ADAI has successfully balanced regulatory duties with initiatives supporting Alabama’s farmers. These efforts include disaster relief programs for poultry and cattle producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Michael, reduced administrative fees for agricultural checkoffs, and a renewed commitment to the Boll Weevil Eradication Program.
Additionally, Pate spearheaded innovative programs such as:
- A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm, which promotes mental health awareness for farmers.
- Grants for seafood processors and food bank donations.
- Establishing a state-of-the-art Pesticide Residue Lab in Auburn.
Pate’s crowning achievement may be Sweet Grown Alabama, a nonprofit agricultural branding program launched in 2019. With over 400 members, the initiative connects consumers with local farmers through a searchable database and supports Farm-to-School programs by linking schools to Alabama-grown goods.
“We set up Sweet Grown Alabama not knowing COVID would hit,” Pate said. “Everyone in 2020 was talking about supply chain issues. I thought, ‘If you’ll quit buying your tomatoes in Mexico and your watermelons in California, we could solve 95% of supply chain issues.’”
Federation President Jimmy Parnell praised Pate’s dedication and ability to connect with stakeholders.
“There’s just something about Commissioner Pate that our members like,” Parnell said. “He’s friendly. He has good business sense. He cares about agriculture and has hired employees who care about agriculture. I am convinced he’s one of the strongest ag commissioners this state has seen.”
Pate’s outreach extends beyond the state. He represents Alabama in trade missions, collaborates with elected officials, and visits farms across the state.
Before taking office, Pate ran a successful landscape business in Lowndesboro. Encouraged by a farmer friend, he transitioned to public service, finding a role that aligns with his skills and passion.
“This job just lined up perfectly with the skill sets I had, the things I loved and the people I cared about,” Pate said. “It’s never felt like work.”
