Chambers County Young Farmers honored as OYFF Forestry Commodity Division Winners
Published 10:30 am Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Christopher and Hannah Langley of Chambers County were named Forestry Division winners in the statewide Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest organized by the Alabama Farmers Federation. The Langleys were recognized during the Federation’s Young Farmers Conference Feb. 15 in Muscle Shoals in front of 450 of their peers. The Langleys farm in Camp Hill. As Forestry Division winners, they will serve an ex-officio term on the Federation’s State Forestry Committee. They also received $500 from the Federation. OYFF competitors are farmers ages 18 to 35 years old who earn most of their income from production agriculture and are judged based on farm growth, Federation involvement and community service. The Langleys won the division following an in-depth application and interview process. From left are Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan; Hannah and Christopher Langley with their four children; and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer.
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Eight young farm families were honored for excellence in production agriculture, Alabama Farmers Federation involvement and community service Feb. 15 during the Young Farmers Conference in Muscle Shoals.
Those Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contestants ranged from 18 to 35 years old and competed through an intense application and interview process.
Three finalist families were chosen. They are:
4 Drew and Lauren Wendland, Autauga County
Also Hay & Forage Division winner
4 Jacob and Misty Porter, Clay County
Also Poultry Division winner
4 Garrett and Robin Dixon, Lee County
Also Peanut Division winner
As OYFF finalists, the Wendlands, Porters and Dixons will compete for more than $80,000 in prizes during on-farm judging this summer.
The winner will be announced during the Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Aug. 16. All three finalists received custom Adirondack chairs courtesy of the Federation.
Additionally, five more families were honored as OYFF commodity division winners.
These young farmers will serve ex-officio terms on respective state commodity committees and affiliated organization boards.
They received $500 from the Federation.
They are:
4 Cade and Shelby Easterling, Barbour County, Sheep & Goat
4 Christopher and Hannah Langley, Chambers County, Forestry
4 Tommy and Lauren Murray, Franklin County, Fruit & Vegetable
4 Heath Clary, Hale County, Catfish
4 Mitchell and Rebecca Henry, Lawrence County, Beef
Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer commended competitors for their dedication and enthusiasm.
He called the OYFF contest a “launchpad” for future leaders of the Federation.
“It’s always exciting to see young farm families work through the OYFF process,” McBrayer said. “While we’re blessed to give out an incredible slate of prizes thanks to generous sponsors, competing in the OYFF is about more than just ‘stuff.’ It encourages farmers to think about where they’ve come from, where they are now and where they’re going. Many leaders in the Federation today got their start competing in contests just like this. With this caliber of contestants, I’m confident we are developing strong leaders of tomorrow. Alabama agriculture is in good hands.”
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with more than 360,000 members.
Its Young Farmers program encourages, educates and empowers members who are ages 18 to 35. Learn more at AlfaYoungFarmers.org.
