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Name:
Joel Bearden
Age:
80
Residence:
Helena, Ala. (Shelby County)
Alfa Member Since:
1952
Current Office or Board:
President, Shelby County Farmers Federation
Shelby County Commissioner
President of Shelby County Cattlemen's Association
Previous Office(s) or Board:
Alabama Farmers Federation Dairy Committee - Board of Directors
City Councilman - Helena, Ala.
Director of Alabama Farmers Cooperative
About My Farm:
1,500 acres
Grew corn and other crops for silage
Grazing permanent pasture and temporary dairy farm
Our family farm in Helena started Jan. 1, 1929, and we sold our dairy farm Sept. 27, 2000. I ran the farm with my brothers for 50 years. In 25,699 days, we only missed five milkings.
What I Like About Agriculture:
I truly loved my years of farming crops and raising cattle.
The Biggest Challenge Facing Agriculture:
There are so many challenges farmers face today - government regulations; cost of feed, seed, fertilizer, land and equipment -- that it's nearly impossible for the younger farmers to enter the field without lots of help from family.
I'm Proud Of:
My family, my church and my community.
My wife, Peggy, and I had our first date at a church picnic, and we were married 56 years, 4 months and 19 days before she passed away last November. Together, we had four daughters - Jan Peoples, Mickey Finn, Kim Dudley and Staci Ballard. We also have 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
My Faith:
I am a long-time, faithful attendee and Elder of Pelham Church of Christ.
Education:
I received a degree in agriculture from Auburn University in 1952.
A Good/Bad Day Is...
A good day would be rain during a drought, a warm day in winter and a cool day in summer.
You May Not Know...
I ride my bike almost every day. You also may not know that on my 75th birthday, I parachuted out of an airplane.
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