Celebrating the Sweet Potato: Alabama’s New State Vegetable

Growing sweet potatoes in Alabama is a pastime for many of our agricultural producers. Thanks to a special group of students, the help of local legislators, and other influential advocates, the popular tuber has now received a major designation.

Alabama Farm Credit recently joined the celebration of the sweet potato; which is now the official vegetable of the State of Alabama, following the signature of Gov. Kay Ivey.

On April 30th, 2021, the North Alabama Agriplex hosted a presentation commemorating the vegetable’s receipt of its historic new title at their beautiful Poultry and Egg Pavilion, located at 1714 Talley Ho St NW, Cullman, Alabama.

North Alabama Agriplex is a local non-profit dedicated to educating and promoting Alabama’s agriculture and future sustainability.

How it Happened

Local agriculture supporters, including Alabama Farm Credit, joined together to commemorate the efforts of students from the Learning Exchange Homeschool Cooperative of Madison, Alabama.

These students initially came up with an idea to make Alabama sweet potatoes the state vegetable.

Sweet potatoes are grown and harvested as a delicious vegetable for our tables. The many sweet potato farms in Alabama make the state the sixth largest sweet potato producer in the country, with over $9 million brought in each year.

This vegetable is vital to our state agriculture, and a seed of an idea to honor it grew into much more.

Students from the Learning Exchange Homeschool Cooperative were the driving force behind the legislation.

They partnered with Senator Garlan Gudger, Representative Randall Shedd, and other supporters like the Alabama Farmers Federation, Cullman Farm City, Fairview High School FCCLA, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate to make what was once an idea into a reality.

Lending a Helping Hand

The team at Alabama Farm Credit believes in supporting local communities and we wanted to be a part of this memorable event.

Cullman Branch Loan Officer Amanda Simpson is a member of the Agriplex Board of Directors, and helped set up a fantastic experience.

A presentation was given commemorating the new state vegetable, which was followed by a beautiful lunch, featuring locally grown Cullman, Alabama sweet potatoes.

Our Public Relations Specialist, Wendy Tysinger, who is a member of the Farm City Board for Cullman County, helped serve these delicious lunches.

Following the meal, the day concluded with an educational program hosted by the North Alabama Agriplex for the Learning Exchange Homeschool students.

Every facet of the event was enjoyable and one that will be remembered. As a team, we wore commemorative shirts and enjoyed being a part of the festivities for the area we serve.

Alabama Farm Credit: Your Agriculture Support Specialist

At Alabama Farm Credit, we are owned by our borrowers and locally represented. That means our roots run deep in local communities like Cullman, Albertville, Athens, Talladega, and Tuscumbia.

When you need a financial partner for your success, we’re here for you. Our loan officers work the same fields and know what it takes run a successful farm, ranch and many other types of agribusinesses.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Together We Grow Foundation Awards 11 Scholarships to North Alabama Students

May 20, 2026

The Together We Grow Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of 11 scholarships totaling $27,500 to students pursuing education and careers in agriculture and related fields across North Alabama, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to investing in the future of Alabama’s agricultural community. The Together We Grow Foundation was born from a group of young farmers who recognized a growing need for college scholarships to support students entering Alabama’s agricultural sector. What began as a shared concern has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating opportunity, leadership, and long term success for students across the state. This year’s awards include 10 Young Roots Scholarships and one Cultivating Leaders Scholarship. The Young Roots Scholarship is designed for graduating high school seniors, and the Cultivating Leaders Scholarship supports students graduating from a two year college who plan to pursue a four year degree. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement and active involvement in their schools and communities. 2026 Scholarship Recipients • Ella Barkley, DeKalb County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Kylie Calvert, Cullman County – Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Kiley Cochran, Jefferson County — Cultivating Leaders Scholarship recipient; attends Wallace State Community College and will major in Communications • River Cox, Calhoun County — Plans to attend the University of West Alabama and major in Forestry Technology • Jayden Friedrich, Cullman County — Plans to attend the University of South Alabama and major in Radiology, with a minor in Agricultural Sciences • Jackson Haynes, Cullman County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Biological and Agricultural Technology Management • Blaine McDuffa, Franklin County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Animal Science • Elijah Miller, Colbert County — Plans to attend Northwest Shoals Community College and major in Industrial Systems Technology • Addison Norwood, Limestone County — Plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in Legal Studies • Gracie Stidham, Cullman County – Plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham and major in Nursing • Melanie Studdard, Cherokee County — Plans to attend Auburn University and major in Mechanical Engineering The Together We Grow Foundation receives proceeds from Alabama Farm Credit’s Ag Night at the Rocket City Trash Pandas, with VIP ticket sales directly benefiting Together We Grow scholarships. VIP tickets are on sale now for Ag Night, set for June 19 at the Rocket City Trash Pandas stadium. The Foundation primarily raises scholarship funds through community supported events, including Agri Shoot at Selwood Farms, an annual sporting clays fundraiser held each fall, which will take place on September 18 at Selwood Farms this year. Through the support of Alabama Farm Credit and community partners, the Together We Grow Foundation continues to strengthen the future of agriculture by investing in students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to serving their communities. For more information about the Together We Grow Foundation, VIP ticket sales, or upcoming events, visit thetwgfoundation.com.

Loyd Rutherford Named 2026 Academy of Honor Recipient, Scholarship Established at Auburn University

May 17, 2026

Alabama Farm Credit (AFC) proudly recognizes former board chairman Loyd Rutherford as a 2026 inductee into the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Academy of Honor, the Bank’s highest distinction for leadership and service in agricultural credit. Established in 1968, the Academy of Honor in Agricultural Credit recognizes individuals who have made valuable and significant contributions to agriculture, rural communities and the Farm Credit System. Each year, one deserving individual is inducted into the Academy of Honor, and a one-time $25,000 scholarship bearing the inductee’s name is awarded through a college or university of their choice. Mr. Rutherford has chosen Auburn University as the recipient of the Loyd Rutherford Academy of Honor Scholarship, which will support five students with $5,000 scholarships to further their education and careers in agriculture. A lifelong agricultural producer and business leader, Rutherford was raised on a farm and spent much of his life farming cotton, soybeans, wheat and broilers, while also managing the Lawrence County Exchange, the local farmers’ cooperative known at the time by that name. His deep agricultural roots shaped a career defined by service, leadership and a commitment to rural communities. Rutherford dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing agriculture through his leadership within the Farm Credit System. He served on the AFC board of directors from 1990 to 2019, including more than two decades as chairman from 1995 to 2017. During that time, he helped guide the association through the farm crisis of the early 1990s, significant structural transitions, and decades of sustained growth. He consistently championed stockholder interests and long-term stability while also serving on numerous district and national Farm Credit boards and committees. Rutherford was formally recognized as a 2026 Academy of Honor inductee at the Farm Credit Bank of Texas Annual Meeting, where his steady leadership, hands-on involvement in agriculture and lasting impact on rural communities were celebrated. Throughout his career, he was supported by his wife, Janice Rutherford, whose encouragement and partnership were integral to his lifelong dedication to agriculture and service. The scholarship established in Rutherford’s name reflects both his legacy and the Farm Credit System’s continued investment in the next generation. The funds will be awarded through Auburn University to students pursuing agriculture-related fields of study, helping recipients continue their education and build careers that strengthen rural America.