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| Jerry Byrd |
Name:
Jerry Byrd
Age:
63
Residence:
Ariton, AL in Dale County
Alfa Member Since:
1971
Current Office or Board:
-- President, Dale County Farmers Federation
-- Chairman, Dale County Ag-Plex Authority
-- Treasurer, Alabama Peanut Producers
Previous Office(s) or Board:
-- Dale County Commissioner, District 1
-- Treasurer, Dale County Farmers Federation
-- Board Member, Dale County Colonial Bank
About My Farm:
I am a first generation farmer and began farming in 1976 with a borrowed tractor from my father-in-law. He encouraged me and was someone I could call on to help me move equipment from field to field.
In 2009, Byrd Farms, LLC was organized with my two sons, Brian and Steven. We farm 2000 acres, half of which is irrigated. We have peanuts, cotton, hay, and also have a cow-calf operation.
What I Like About Agriculture:
I really like the independent spirit of farming and the privilege of being outside every day.
The Biggest Challenge Facing Agriculture:
Educating the consumer on how their food is produced and assuring the consumer that we have the safest food supply in the world is by far one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today.
I'm Proud Of:
I am most proud of my family and the blessing of being able to work with my two sons, Brian and Steven.
About My Family and Faith:
My wife, Sharon, and I have been married for almost 40 years. We met on a blind date arranged by a younger brother, Henderson. We have three children, Michelle Ridgway, who lives in Hoschton, GA; Brian and Steven Byrd. Brian and his wife, Kendra, are the parents of our two grandchildren, Bailey, 7 years, and Brock, 5 years.
We're members of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Ozark, Ala.
Education:
I joined the Navy Seabees in 1968 and, while serving our country during the Vietnam Conflict, obtained my GED.
A Good/Bad Day Is...
A good day is when everything goes as planned with no equipment breakdown or communication failures.
A bad day is when nothing goes right from the moment you leave the house until you return at the end of the day.
You May Not Know...
- I enjoy word search and crossword puzzles.
- My work philosophy is life is too short. A hundred years from now, no one will know the difference.
- I am a heavy equipment operator. Prior to following my heart to farm, I worked with B.F. Williams Construction Company in Ozark.
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