Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan, left, presents Orval Pounders of Franklin County with the Federation Award for Local and Community Services. Pounders received the award Dec. 7 during the Federation’s 94th annual meeting in Montgomery.

For the 94th year, Alabama Farmers Federation members met in Montgomery Dec. 6-7 to elect leaders, recognize outstanding leaders and volunteers and discuss agricultural issues at the group’s annual meeting.

Special guests U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and U.S. Rep. Martha Roby shared messages about keeping the country strong and secure during dinner at the Montgomery Convention Center Dec. 6.

Also that evening, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey received the Service to Agriculture Award, the Federation’s highest honor, and attorney Stan Gregory, a partner with Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Montgomery, was recognized with the Cultivator Award. The first meeting day ended with a Christmas concert from country superstar Wynonna Judd.

Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan, left, presents Orval Pounders of Franklin County with the Federation Award for Local and Community Services. Pounders received the award Dec. 7 during the Federation’s 94th annual meeting in Montgomery.

Dec. 7, numerous county Federations and individual leaders were recognized for outstanding service to the state organization. Orval Pounders of Franklin County with the Federation Award for Local and Community Services. The Federation Award for Excellence went to Franklin County, accepted by President Charles Ezzell. It recognizes counties excelling in five sections of the Federation: organization, agricultural programs, governmental affairs, and the county’s Women’s Leadership and Young Farmers committees. Awards were presented at a morning session and during luncheons for county presidents, the State Women’s Leadership Committee and the State Young Farmers Committee.