100-year-old farm recognized by state
Published 11:30 pm Thursday, November 12, 2015
Audra Westbrook, John A. Westbrook, John J. Westbrook and John W. Westbrook were recognized Thursday for their family farm, The Home Place. The family is shown with Amy Belcher with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Both a century-old farm and elementary students were recognized Thursday during the annual Buttonhole Breakfast.
The event, held again at the Central Alabama Farmers Co-op, highlights “Farm-City Week” and the importance of agriculture in the local economy.
“The purpose is to educate city folks and county folks on the interdependency we have on each other,” said Dallas County Extension Coordinator Callie Nelson. “Everybody in this room participates in agriculture at least three time a day — breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
The week and breakfast also celebrates farmers and the important work they do. Agriculture is the state’s largest industry and accounts for 20 percent of all jobs, according to Nelson.
“You go to the grocery store and there’s food there. We are a blessed nation, and it’s because of the work our farmers do,” Nelson said. “Take a moment this month and thank a farmer.”
Shown are Dallas County Farm-City Week first place winners. Kaleb Smith-Frazier from Southside Primary won the kindergarten through third grade poster contest; Victoria Moss from Valley Grande Elementary won the fourth through sixth grade poster contest; and Laney Holladay from Morgan Academy won the seventh through ninth grade essay contest.
To that end, one local farm, known simply as The Home Place, was recognized for hitting the century mark by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Department representative Amy Belcher presented the Westbrook family with a certificate designating The Home Place as an Alabama Century and Heritage Farm.
The program began in 1976 and has recognized more than 580 farms across the state but only 11 in Dallas County.
“This morning we are here to honor and give special recognition to the Westbrook family. Their family farm The Home Place has been owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years,” Belcher said.
Three generations were present to accept the award including John W. Westbrook, Audra Westbrook, son John A. Westbrook and grandson John J. Westbrook.
Reuben Sanders and Sara Elizabeth Tubb bought the original farm in 1902. Their great-granddaughters Westbrook and Glenda Adams Brock own and operate the farm still today with Audra’s son John.
They raise cattle now, but in the past also grew corn and cotton and raised sheep and turkeys.
“People need to know that this farm has made it through tough times,” Belcher said. “This family deserves special recognition.”
The original family home, which was built in 1911, remains on the farm. There is also a milk house still standing from the 1940s and a dairy barn from the 50s.
In addition to honoring the Westbrooks, several students were recognized for their work in the Farm-City post and essay contest. First place winners were recognized for their achievement.
Southside Primary student Kaleb Smith-Frazier won the kindergarten through third grade post contest, while Valley Grande Elementary’s Victoria Moss won between fourth through sixth graders.
Morgan Academy student Laney Holladay won the essay contest for seventh through ninth graders.
By winning at the county level, the students will compete at the state level for additional prizes.
To close the morning out, Jim Allen and Samantha Carpenter, personalities with the syndicated show Simply Southern, spoke about their program and shared a recent episode.
The program airs Sunday mornings and is dedicated to agriculture, the outdoors and rural living.
The show can be seen on WSFA 12 (Montgomery) at 6 a.m. on WBMA 33/40 (Birmingham) at 6:30 a.m.
